Aid rules need to be changed to prevent famine in Afghanistan, say UK experts | Afghanistan

Afghanistan can only be saved from state collapse and widespread famine by broadening the definition of legitimate humanitarian aid to the country, some of Britain’s top former diplomats and security officials have warned.

The group, which includes two former national security advisers, a former chief of defense staff and a former ambassador to Afghanistan, write in a letter published in The Guardian that aid that can be sent to the Taliban-controlled country without fear of sanctions it is too restricted.

Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation has deteriorated dramatically since last August, when the Taliban returned to power 20 years after being ousted. International aid came to a sudden halt after his inauguration, worsening the plight of millions already starving after several severe droughts.

Taliban leaders flew to Oslo on Saturday for talks with representatives of Afghan civil society and Western powers on human rights and sanctions.

The former British officials are also calling for an international conference to raise funds for the country and say Afghanistan is headed for a famine never seen before in 40 years of conflict.

The group says a distinction must be made between money that can still be held to try to take advantage of political concessions from the Taliban, such as large-scale infrastructure projects, and money to enable government institutions to provide basic human services and prevent the economy from collapsing

Aid channeled exclusively through the humanitarian system “cannot replace the provision of institutional services to 40 million people,” the letter says.

It adds: “Humanitarian agencies are ready and able to pay medical staff, teachers and other civil servants who deliver public services. But they need the money to do it, much more than has been given so far. And they need a clear political mandate from donors, especially the United States.

“The projects must be scrutinized and adjusted to ensure that no direct benefit accrues to the Taliban.”

The authors of the letters insist that they are not seeking to help the Taliban, but warn that economic collapse would cause widespread death and suffering and that this would not be in the interests of Western security.

A UN security council resolution passed on December 23 sought to give aid agencies more leeway to deliver aid without fear of sanctions, but the resolution has yet to dispel the cloud of uncertainty that prevents agencies and banks send aid to Afghanistan.

The Norwegian government has said the three days of talks it is hosting in Oslo do not amount to a de facto recognition of the Taliban or a withdrawal of demands that the Taliban give Afghan women the right to work and receive an education.

“These meetings do not represent a legitimization or recognition of the Taliban,” said Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt. “But we need to talk to the de facto authorities in the country. We cannot allow the political situation to lead to an even worse humanitarian disaster.

“In order to help the civilian population in Afghanistan, it is essential that both the international community and Afghans from various sectors of society engage in dialogue with the Taliban. We will be clear about our expectations of the Taliban, particularly when it comes to girls’ education and human rights, such as women’s right to participate in society.”

The Taliban will meet not only with officials from Western powers, but also with exiled Afghan leaders, journalists and people working to safeguard human rights and address humanitarian, economic, social and political issues.

“Every step taken towards the Taliban is a step taken against the people of Afghanistan,” Huitfeldt said, noting that the last time EU officials met with the Taliban in Kabul, the homes of the women who participated in the protests were raided and activists were arrested.

Nargis Nehan, a former Afghan minister for mines, oil and industries who now lives in Norway, said she turned down an invitation to participate. He told Agence France-Presse that he feared the talks would “normalize the Taliban and … make them stronger, although there is no way they will change.”

“What guarantee is there this time that they will keep their promises?” she asked.