UN humanitarian chief in Afghanistan for talks with Taliban

UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has sent Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths to Kabul for talks with the Taliban leadership, said Guterres' spokesman on Sunday.

"At the request of the secretary-general, Martin Griffiths ... is currently in Kabul. During his visit today (Sunday), Mr. Griffiths met with Mullah Baradar and the leadership of the Taliban in Kabul to engage with the authorities on humanitarian issues," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.

In this meeting, Griffiths reiterated the humanitarian community's commitment to delivering impartial and independent humanitarian assistance and protection to millions of people in need, said the statement.

Griffiths emphasized the critical role of women in the delivery of aid and called on all parties to ensure their rights, safety and well-being. He called for all civilians -- especially women and girls and minorities -- to be protected at all times. He expressed his solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, it said.

The authorities pledged that the safety and security of humanitarian staff, and humanitarian access to people in need, will be guaranteed and that humanitarian workers -- both men and women -- will be guaranteed freedom of movement. The authorities pledged to cooperate with the humanitarian community to ensure assistance is delivered to the people of Afghanistan, said the statement.

Further meetings are expected in the coming days, it said.

Griffiths will also meet and convey his thanks on behalf of the United Nations to representatives of humanitarian organizations, both UN agencies and nongovernmental organizations, who remain operational in the country and have assisted 8 million people this year, said the statement.

Today in Afghanistan, half of the population -- 18 million people -- need humanitarian assistance to survive. A third do not know where their next meal is coming from. More than half of all children under 5 are at risk of acute malnutrition. A severe drought, the second in four years, will further contribute to hunger in the months ahead. Now more than ever, the people of Afghanistan need the support and solidarity of the international community, it said.