UN Asks For More Than $600 Million In Donations For Afghans

The UN is struggling financially and can't pay on its own.

Western governments and the U.N. human rights chief voiced concerns Monday about the Taliban's first steps as they establish power in Afghanistan. The United Nations, meanwhile, hosted a donors conference to drum up emergency funds for beleaguered Afghans who could soon face widespread hunger after decades of conflict. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was leading the world body's call for more than $600 million for the rest of this year in a “flash appeal” for Afghans after their country's government was toppled by the Taliban and U.S. and NATO forces exited the 20-year war in a chaotic departure. There are concerns that instability and upended humanitarian efforts, compounded by an ongoing drought, could further endanger lives and plunge Afghanistan toward famine.