UN chief warns of ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ in Afghanistan

Antonio Guterres says almost half of the Afghan population needs urgent aid to survive after Taliban takeover.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has warned of a looming “humanitarian catastrophe” in Afghanistan as he urged countries to provide emergency funding following the final departure of United States forces and the full Taliban takeover. Guterres on Tuesday expressed his “grave concern at the deepening humanitarian and economic crisis in the country”, adding that basic services threatened to collapse “completely”. “Now more than ever, Afghan children, women and men need the support and solidarity of the international community,” he said in a statement as he pleaded for financial support from nations.