Italy PM Draghi on emergency aid to Afghanistan

The Group of 20 countries vowed to accelerate aid to Afghanistan Tuesday amid concerns that an already precarious humanitarian and financial situation will grow catastrophic over the winter.

"Almost everybody talked about the need to come to a unified position towards this aim," said Italian Premier Mario Draghi, who hosted the virtual summit.

He said the leaders had given the United Nations a "general mandate to coordinate this response."

G-20 leaders also demanded that the Taliban government allow humanitarian access across Afghanistan, keep Kabul Airport and the country's borders open and ensure security for U.N., humanitarian and diplomatic staff.

They also repeated previous demands that women's rights be respected.

Draghi told reporters that negotiations would be necessary with the Taliban to get humanitarian aid distributed.

But he said such contact by no means constituted a political recognition of the Taliban, who he said would be “judged for what their deeds are, not their words."

During the meeting, the European Union announced a support package worth 1 billion euros ($1.15 billion), which includes 300 million euros ($346 million) that had been committed earlier.

It will be targeted at the Afghan population only and neighboring countries, which have been the first to provide immediate aid.

The United Nations has warned that the Afghan economy is on the verge of collapse.

Afghanistan, which before the Taliban takeover was dependent on international aid that accounted for 75% of state spending, is grappling with a liquidity crisis as assets remain frozen in the U.S. and other countries, and disbursements from international organizations have been put on hold.

IMAGE: AP