Aid groups are warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan following the departure of allied forces from the now Taliban-controlled country, prompting calls for Australia to increase its relief efforts.
The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) says Australia must urgently consider doubling its aid contribution to Afghanistan, warning it is falling behind international partners.
While the world's attention has been intensely focused on efforts to evacuate tens of thousands of people seeking to flee the Taliban's new regime, aid groups are sounding the alarm for those left behind.
They're pleading for the international community to increase their financial assistance to the heavily aid-dependent nation, with fears millions of people are being displaced and going hungry.
This comes amid concerns some foreign donors are halting support and the country's banking system is on the verge of collapse.
National director at World Vision Afghanistan Asuntha Charles, who is based in Kabul, is among those concerned about the deteriorating situation on the ground in Afghanistan.
“More than ever, humanitarian actions are needed now,” she told SBS News.
“We are going to have a major crisis around food security, displacement [and] refugee issues - it is only going to be on the increase.”
The United Nations says more than 550,000 Afghans have been internally displaced because of conflict this year, stemming from the Taliban’s resurgence across the country.
World Vision's Asuntha Charles speaks with SBS News. Source: SBS News
Despite the pressing need for assistance, the current security situation has forced many aid groups such as World Vision to temporarily suspend their operations.
Ms Charles said the group is staying in Afghanistan, but remains uncertain about what the Taliban rule will mean for its work, including for female staff.
She urged global donors to remain committed to humanitarian effort in the country which has suffered from conflict, drought and the coronavirus pandemic.
“If we stop it now - this is going to be a crisis,” she said.
“We really want the international community to remain committed to the promises made.”
‘Humanitarian catastrophe’
Amid this backdrop, the UN has said up to half the population in Afghanistan - 18 million people - are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance to survive.
warned of a looming "humanitarian catastrophe" as he urged countries to provide emergency funding following the exit of US troops.
Mr Guterres expressed his "grave concern at the deepening humanitarian and economic crisis in the country," adding that basic services threatened to collapse "completely".
Médecins Sans Frontières' Jennifer Tierney is based in Sydney as the humanitarian group continues to deliver emergency medical aid in Kabul.
She said their services have recently seen a surge in demand, and that the group is anticipating this will continue as the health system comes under increasing strain.
“There's a really significant and potentially increased need as funders and other organisations pull out of the country,” she told SBS News.
Ms Tierney said continued support for aid efforts would be critical to address continued medical challenges in the country, including the malnutrition of children.
“It's going to be very important for the Afghan people that aid continue to be provided,” she said.
The World Bank and International Monetary Fund have both halted funding of projects in Afghanistan, since the Taliban seized power on 15 August.
The European Union also suspended development assistance shortly after the takeover.
Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen has suggested the group does want to work with humanitarian groups such as the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) to continue assistance.
He recently indicated the Taliban had met with representatives of the WFP, assuring them of security and that the group “appreciated their humanitarian assistance".
But Human Rights Watch Australia director Elaine Pearson said there remained concerns about the future of essential services such as health and education being administered in the country.
“There is a lot of concern around how some of those basic services, even like hospitals, will be administered going forward,” she told SBS News.
"What governments like Australia should be doing is they need to be increasing humanitarian assistance."
What action is Australia taking?
Foreign Minister Marise Payne has indicated Australia will continue to contribute to humanitarian efforts to support the Afghan people.
“Australia will continue to support the Afghan people through our development program, working with trusted international partners,” she told the Senate last week.
“We are focusing our $50 million bilateral program on humanitarian priorities, those occurring as a result of these events but also including in response to drought, internal displacement, COVID-19 and economic instability, working through existing humanitarian partners, including UN agencies.”
But the ACFID has raised concern over Australia's aid contribution, warning it has declined in recent years and is falling behind international partners.
Its analysis shows Australia’s annual foreign aid spending in Afghanistan has reduced from $197 million in 2011-12 to a projection of $52.5 million for 2021-22.
This is also down from an estimated $75.3 million in 2019/20.
In comparison, the United States in June announced it would provide A$363 million in additional aid to Afghanistan, taking its contribution to A$743 million since the 2020 fiscal year.
The UK also said this month it would double its humanitarian and development aid to A$537 million.
The European Union has indicated it will almost quadruple its assistance to A$322 million.
The ACFID's chief executive officer Marc Purcell said Australia needed to urgently look at doubling its contribution to Afghanistan.
“We cannot walk away from the Afghan people now,” he told SBS News.
SBS News has contacted the office of Senator Payne for comment.
Australia has also announced $5 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ appeal to assist asylum seekers fleeing Afghanistan.
