UN calls for 'political surge' to restore peace in Afghanistan

United Nations, Oct 7 (PTI) The top United Nations
envoy to Afghanistan has called for a "political surge" to
boost the prospects for peace in the strife-torn nation and to
respond to urgent humanitarian concerns such as access for the
delivery of vital food aid.

"None of us can deny that there are very serious
problems and none of us can deny that the security situation
has deteriorated," Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special
Representative for Afghanistan, told a news conference
yesterday.

At the same time, Eide warned against pessimism and
asserted that there is a strong international commitment to
reverse the negative trends in the country. A key element in
doing so is to focus on the agenda set by the Government and
international partners.

The International Conference in Support of
Afghanistan, held in Paris on June 12 this year saw fresh
pledges of resources for the country's rebuilding efforts, as
well as the launch of the Government's five-year plan to
reduce poverty and promote economic and social development,
known as the Afghan National Development Strategy (A.N.D.S.).

He pointed to recent progress on the implementation
plan for the A.N.D.S., improved work of the Joint Coordination
and Monitoring Board, the agreed expansion of the national
army, closer scrutiny of aid effectiveness, and the launch of
a new anti-corruption agency.

"We have made some progress, but we need to accelerate
that work," he stressed. "What we need most of all is a
political surge – more political energy."

Eide said a "political energy" is particularly crucial
to address urgent humanitarian needs, such as food delivery.
Some 4.5 million Afghans face possible food shortages during
the coming winter months due to a combination of insecurity,
drought and high food prices.

"We should all, and I repeat all, come together to
ensure that food reaches those who need it most," said Eide,
who is also head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
(U.N.A.M.A.).

"I will take this opportunity to appeal to the Taliban
and to appeal to its leaders to ensure access for food
distribution and to expand the humanitarian agenda that we
should share," he said. "There are disagreements on so many
things – but let us demonstrate that we can share this
humanitarian agenda."

In a recent report, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
wrote that the deterioration of the security situation has
hampered U.N.A.M.A. in carrying out its efforts, with 90 of
the country's nearly 400 districts identified as areas of
extreme risk. Attacks on aid-related targets and
non-governmental organisations (N.G.O.s) have also become more
frequent and more deadly.