80pc Afghan women, children displaced: UNHCR

INTERNATIONAL DESK: While chances of humanitarian crisis are increasing in Afghanistan with every passing day, donations from international and national companies have started pouring in Afghanistan.

According to the UNHCR, the impact of the conflict on women and girls has been particularly devastating as almost 80pc of newly displaced Afghans are women and children.

UNHCR’s activities in Pakistan have been supporting ongoing efforts with the government who has for decades hosted and provided protection to Afghan refugees.

UNHCR will use the grant funding to provide over 3,000 displaced individuals, shelter and core relief items, including tents, thermal blankets for the upcoming harsh winter, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, cooking sets, jerry cans, buckets, solar lamps and hygiene products to address maternal and child health needs.

The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded a grant of $300,000 to provide humanitarian relief to displaced persons impacted by the recent crisis in Afghanistan.

“This is a multi-faceted crisis disproportionately affecting women and girls,” said Saadia Madsbjerg, president of Foundation. “We hope this grant will be meaningful in providing displaced Afghan families in Pakistan with critical support.”

Since the start of the year, UNHCR has provided lifesaving support to some 332,000 newly internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the country, with some 115,000 assisted from the start of August to Sept 7. (Dawn)