UN to continue to assist needy Kabulis

Islamabad (Office of the United Nations Co-ordinator for Afghanistan), 21 March 2001-- The United Nations is committed to continuing to assist the most vulnerable Afghans in Kabul, said UN Co-ordinator Erick de Mul today in Islamabad. His statement was made in clarification of a report that stated that the World Food Programme (WFP) might halt the general bakery project in the Afghan capital. The Kabul bakery project, operational for the last six years, currently provides subsidised bread for some 300,000 residents of Kabul.
"The problem is," De Mul said, "that we know we are not reaching thousands of Afghans who have entered Kabul in the last few years and who are in great need." He added that WFP recognises that its bakery lists are not up to date. Unless WFP could re-survey the entirety of Kabul's population, there is no way that these needy families could be included in the bakery project. WFP has repeatedly discussed this issue with the authorities in Kabul, but has not received permission to conduct the necessary surveys.

"Because of a combination of profound poverty, conflict and drought, more people than ever in Afghanistan are in dire need of assistance this year. We are in a fight for funds and for resources to be able to do more and to help as many people as possible. However, resources are always limited. This is why it is important that we ensure that every bit of aid is directed to those whose very survival would be jeopardised without help," the UN Co-ordinator said.

Now more than ever, he added, it is important to find the most effective ways to reach people in need. "With or without a bakery project, we will do our utmost to ensure the people of Kabul receive the help they need," De Mul said. The co-operation of the authorities in Kabul would be essential for this to be achieved, he concluded.

For further information, please contact: Stephanie Bunker, Office of the UN Co-ordinator for Afghanistan, 92 51 2211451 x 415; 0320 4261325.