Prevent humanitarian catastrophe and ‘genocide’ of Afghans: Amrullah Saleh writes to UN

Saleh claimed that Panjshir, the last province in Afghanistan not controlled by the Taliban was looking at a full scale "catastrophe" which might lead to "genocide" of Afghans.  

Former vice president of Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh has written to the United Nations for humanitarian aid highlighting the economic blockade by the Taliban disallowing electricity, telecommunication.

Saleh claimed that Panjshir, the last province in Afghanistan not controlled by the Taliban was looking at a full scale "catastrophe" which might lead to "genocide" of Afghans.

“Around 2,50,000 people, including local women, children, elderly and 10,000 IDPs who arrived in Panjshir after the fall of Kabul and other large cities are stuck inside these Valleys and suffering from the consequences of this inhuman blocked (sic). If no attention is paid to this situation, a full scale human rights and humanitarian catastrophe including starvation and mass killing, even genocide of these people are in the making,” the letter read.

He further highlighted the urgent need for food, water, and sanitation to prevent the crisis. "They urgently need food, shelter, water and sanitation, health care and non-food items. The Office of the Acting President Amrullah Saleh appeals to the international community, the United Nations, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movements, NGOs and other charity organizations to rapidly and generously respond to this overwhelming humanitarian crisis."

Taliban and the resistance forces are battling to control the Panjshir valley north of Kabul, the last Afghan province holding out against the militant group. Saleh, along with Ahmad Massoud -- the son of famous Afghan commander Ahmad Shah Massoud -- another leader of the resistance, are presently in Panjshir valley and trying to mount a challenge to the Taliban.

Meanwhile, local flight Ariana Afghan Airlines resumed operation in Afghanistan between Kabul and three major provincial cities on Saturday after a technical team from Qatar reopened the capital's airport. This reopening of the airport is vital for Afghanistan to receive aid and resume domestic services.

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