Humanitarian funding shortfall in Pakistan, Afghanistan: UN

Funds for humanitarian operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan is going through a shortfall during critical periods said United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today.
"We are very concerned that donor funding for humanitarian operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan is falling short at a critical moment of positive transition in the region," said John Ging, Operations Director of OCHA.
Ging highlighted the issues following his week-long mission to Afghanistan and Pakistan with the Emergency Directors of six UN agencies.
Welcoming the USD 16 billion international aid pledged for Afghanistan at the Tokyo Conference in July 2012, Ging reminded donors that the funding does not contribute to humanitarian work.

He added that without a properly funded humanitarian response, development and stability could be fatally undermined.
"With the international community focused on security and development, they must not make the mistake of neglecting their foundation, which is humanitarian" he said.

"We are worried with the humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan, which is only 38 per cent funded so far, this may already be happening," he said.
Ging and the Emergency Directors also highlighted that the drawdown of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) brings with it new security and economic challenges.
He added that despite this, he was inspired by the "courageous determination" he saw among the people and aid workers he met in Afghanistan. He commented on the "heroic" courage and dedication of aid workers, especially in the face of recent attacks on their accommodation in Kabul and Jalalabad.

He also praised local authorities in Kandahar for making human rights for women and education for girls a national priority.