UN intend to stay in Afghanistan for more 60 years, or to the extend Afghans wishes

Nicholas Haysom, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, said Afghanistan has been a full and vibrant member of the UN community of nations and one of its earliest members.

“The UN has been in Afghanistan, partnering with its people, for 60 years, including the turbulent last 30 years,” he said. “We intend to stay for the next 60 years or to the extent that the Afghan people wish to continue partnering with the UN.”

UN’s special representative for Afghanistan also noted that the number of displaced people in Afghanistan has a remarkable raise than 70 years ago.

Dr. Abdullah thanked the UN for working with Afghans through difficult years in the past decades, including during the recent earthquake. He said the UN has played an important role in facilitating the political process and coordinating efforts supporting humanitarian assistance and development.

Mr. Haysom affirmed that the UN “will walk the rest of the journey, hand-in-hand, with Afghans toward the realization of their aspirations for a stable, secure and prosperous Afghanistan.”

Wars, conflict and persecution have forced more people than at any other time since records began to flee their homes and seek refuge and safety elsewhere.

UNHCR’s annual Global Trends Report: World at War, released on June said that worldwide displacement was at the highest level ever recorded.

Decades-old instability and conflict in Afghanistan means that millions of people remain on the move or – as is increasingly common – stranded for years on the edge of society as long-term internally displaced or refugees.