WASHINGTON 

The UN special representative for Afghanistan on Wednesday voiced concern over the humanitarian situation in the war-torn country, where the Taliban returned to power in 2021. 

"The humanitarian situation remains of grave concern," Roza Otunbayeva told the UN Security Council.

"We are entering another winter in which more than 20 million people will depend on aid. Given this year’s drop in funding, and by extension provision of assistance, many needy Afghans will be more vulnerable than they were this time last year," she said.

Otunbayeva said the key features of the human rights situation in Afghanistan are a "record of systemic discrimination" against women and girls, repression of political dissent and free speech, a lack of meaningful representation of minorities, and ongoing instances of extrajudicial killing, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and ill-treatment.

Turning to the quality of education in Afghanistan, she said it is a "growing concern."

"The international community has rightly focused on the need to reverse the ban on girls’ education, but the deteriorating quality of education and access to it is affecting boys as well," she added.

For future approach, she outlined two factors, which are a "durable and more detailed" international consensus on Afghanistan, and making far greater use of the de facto authorities’ willingness to engage in dialogue with members of the international community.

"There must be more direct engagement with the de facto authorities, including in Kabul," Otunbayeva said.  

'Afghans need peace, stability'

Also addressing the Council, Ramesh Rajasingham, director of coordination at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said Afghanistan remains one of the countries with the "highest levels" of humanitarian needs.

The OCHA aims to reach the greatest number of people in Afghanistan with humanitarian assistance, he added.

"The humanitarian community is committed to doing so. But we cannot be the solution. Ultimately, the Afghan people need sustainable solutions and a longer-term approach that moves them beyond mere survival: Solutions that allow support for income generation, agriculture, climate resilience, and restoration of basic services," Rajasingham said.

Afghans need, and deserve peace and stability, and an environment in which every people can enjoy respect for their human rights, he said, adding: "I urge the Council to continue its efforts to this end."

Taliban returned to rule Afghanistan in August 2021 after over two decades of war.

The interim set up continues to impose numerous rules and policies, violating a range of fundamental rights of women and girls, including access to education.

The country is also facing hunger and risk of malnutrition, poverty, a near-collapse of the national public health system and natural disasters.