UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during a press conference following a two-day closed-door meeting on Afghanistan with special envoys from more than 20 countries and international organizations in Doha, Qatar, on May 2, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
DOHA – The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday warned that Afghanistan faces "the largest humanitarian crisis" in today's world, while calling for more funding for the UN humanitarian response plan.
The UN chief made the remarks during a press conference in the Qatari capital of Doha following a two-day closed-door meeting on Afghanistan with special envoys from more than 20 countries and international organizations, including China, Russia, and the United States.
Currently, 97 percent of the population in Afghanistan is living in poverty, while two-thirds of the population require humanitarian assistance to survive this year, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said
Currently, 97 percent of the population in Afghanistan is living in poverty, while two-thirds of the population require humanitarian assistance to survive this year, Guterres said.
He warned that the UN's Humanitarian Response Plan, which seeks $4.6 billion in funding, has only received $294 million, with a 94-percent shortfall.
READ MORE: UN: Taliban recognition not a focus of Afghanistan meeting
Guterres also emphasized that the meeting was about developing a common international approach, "not about recognition of the de facto Taliban authorities."
Answering a question from a reporter, the UN chief said that he would meet with Taliban representatives "when it is the right moment to do so," but not now.
He also criticized the Taliban's negative policies toward women and girls.
ALSO READ: UN chief condemns ban on Afghan women working with UN
The Taliban, the actual ruler of Afghanistan, did not send representatives to the meeting because they were not invited.