Press
Release
UNICEF Warns that Military Changes In
Afghanistan Won't Alter Impact of Winter
Afghan Children Face Tough Odds as Temperatures Drop
and Forces Clash
ISLAMABAD / GENEVA / NEW YORK, 14 November 2001 - The
United Nations Children's Fund cautioned today that the
rapid advance of Northern Alliance forces in Afghanistan
would most likely not bring a quick end to the crisis
facing Afghan children.
With the front lines of the conflict shifting unpredictably
each day and with the arrival of winter in some parts
of Afghanistan, UNICEF warned that "delivering humanitarian
relief to those most in need will continue to be a very
serious challenge."
Just one day before appearing at a hearing of the British
Parliament on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and
surrounding countries, UNICEF Executive Director Carol
Bellamy presented a grim assessment of the present situation
and the challenges ahead. "It is clear that the
situation for millions of Afghans remains very precarious.
Although we are making progress in getting vital assistance
to the most needy children and women, time is running
out, and the fluid military situation is only adding to
the difficulties," she said. "Nothing
we've seen so far suggests that access will be straightforward,
that the environment will be secure, or that survival
will be easy to ensure."
As winter closes in for vulnerable communities in Afghanistan's
more remote areas, with the first snow having fallen on
the higher ground in the Panjshir Valley and elsewhere,
many children now face freezing conditions. Last winter,
in one camp alone, more than 100 children froze to death
when temperatures dropped to minus 26 degrees Centigrade,
UNICEF said. The average elevation in Afghanistan's imposing
Hindu Kush mountain range, which covers the majority of
the country's land area, is 2700 metres (8800 feet). Even
in lower-altitude Kabul, night-time temperatures are now
below freezing and are forecast to remain so.
Thousands of families living in the open under canvas
and plastic sheeting will become vulnerable to diseases
such as measles that are more prevalent during winter.
Snow may soon start to block mountain passes and impede
the delivery of assistance. Even in areas that have not
already suffered from food shortages, winter conditions
will make local food supplies less reliable.
"For most people, winter is a predictable event
for which they can prepare," Bellamy said. "In
Afghanistan, hundreds of thousands of people will be helplessly
exposed to the elements this winter, no matter which authority
sits in Kabul. We are moving supplies every day, but we
still face a very tough road ahead." She noted
that reports of seizures of relief supplies, which have
increased in recent days, as well as sketchy communication
from within the country suggest that some supplies are
not reaching those that need them.
Dr. Eric Laroche, UNICEF Representative for Afghanistan,
has repeatedly warned that as many as 100,000 youngsters
could perish this winter if aid does not reach them and
their families in sufficient quantities. His assessment
is based on the best available information regarding child
malnutrition and disease in the country. Afghanistan is
already one of the worst countries in the world for child
survival, with one in four children dying before the age
of five. Laroche said his estimates go above and beyond
that already tragic child mortality rate.
Despite the fluid situation on the ground that has hampered
the delivery of supplies, 18 UNICEF relief flights have
airlifted vital cargo into countries neighbouring Afghanistan
since the start of the crisis in late September.
Using a variety of border crossings, UNICEF has sent
convoys of humanitarian goods into Afghanistan on virtually
a daily basis. Over the last six weeks alone, 44 UNICEF
convoys have delivered emergency relief into Afghanistan,
including medicine and medical supplies for scores of
displacement camps and village health centers; over 100,000
items of winter clothing; water purification tablets,
hand pumps, and jerry cans; specialized high-protein food
for malnourished children; and tens of thousands of blankets,
tents and other shelter supplies; and more.
But Bellamy and Laroche emphasized that snow will soon
start to block some mountain passes, impeding relief efforts.
"Given the security situation and the changing weather,
we are heading into a difficult season for humanitarian
relief operations," Bellamy warned.
###
For further information, please contact:
Alfred Ironside, UNICEF Media Section,
New York
Tel: 212-326-7261, e-mail: aironside@unicef.org
Chulho Hyun, UNICEF Media/ Islamabad,
Tel: (92-300) 855-1927 e-mail: chyun@unicef.org
To Broadcasters: B-roll of UNICEF's emergency
relief efforts in Afghanistan is available. Visit our
broadcasters page at:
http://www.unicef.org/broadcast/
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