Afghanistan faces enormous challenges, both political and humanitarian. Children are especially vulnerable in serious humanitarian situations. Norway will provide NOK 700 million in humanitarian aid and aid to Afghanistan by 2022, Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said. Norwegian support is not given to the Taliban regime.

Afghanistan is in a grave humanitarian crisis. The Afghan people need the support of the international community. Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt will represent Norway at the donors’ conference for Afghanistan on March 31. The conference was chaired by the United Nations, United Kingdom, Germany and Qatar. The conference takes place virtually.

– Although the war in Ukraine has consumed a great deal of attention and resources, it is important not to forget about humanitarian crises elsewhere in the world. This holds true at least for Afghanistan, where half of the population is at risk of starvation and more than 90 percent now live below the poverty line, Huitfeldt said.

Following the takeover of the Taliban in August last year, the international community did not have a recognized government to cooperate with. Therefore, Norwegian aid is channeled entirely through the United Nations, the World Bank and voluntary organizations.

– Norway maintains our strong commitment to the Afghan people. As demand increases, Norway will provide NOK 700 million for humanitarian aid and basic services, Huitfeldt said.

– The situation will affect the next generation and the development of society in the years to come. We will contribute to basic services such as health and education, as long as girls and boys have access. We also want to help ensure the livelihoods of Afghans don’t collapse, Huitfeldt said.

The primary responsibility for the crisis lies with those who govern the country. The Taliban must listen to the calls of the Afghan people and the international community: to respect human rights and to build a more inclusive and representative government.

– Reports that the Taliban’s top leadership has delayed the opening of schools for girls are very disappointing. This is a violation of girls’ rights and goes against the guarantees the Taliban has given before, including in Oslo. “We are giving a clear message to the Taliban that we expect them to fulfill their promise to the Afghan people about girls’ access to education,” Huitfeldt said.

At the initiative of Norway, the UN Security Council adopted a statement expressing deep concern over the decision of the Taliban and clearly stating that girls and boys have the same right to education. The human rights situation in other areas is also worrying, and women’s rights are no exception.

“But we can’t fail to give people in critical humanitarian situations the help they need because they live under a regime we don’t like,” Huitfeldt said.