Estonia has participated in the stabilization and rebuilding of Afghanistan for nearly two decades. It is heart-breaking to see the women, children and adolescents who had grown up in a society of reconstruction and hope towards the future face the grim situation filled with uncertainty.
The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has rapidly deteriorated, and the severe weather conditions that have now arrived have only increased the need for humanitarian assistance. At the end of 2021, Estonia contributed 650 000 EUR to humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan through Team Europe, WFP, OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF and ICRC. Respectful to the Good Humanitarian Donorship principles, we made our unremarked annual voluntary contributions to the International humanitarian organisations early for the next year. We highly acknowledge the work of the humanitarian agencies, who managed to stay and deliver and are making good progress in humanitarian+ activities.
We remain committed to alleviating the humanitarian situation of the people in Afghanistan. However, our cooperation with any Afghanistan leadership will be based upon its willingness to uphold the positive achievements of recent decades and act by the norms and standards of international law, including international human rights law. We underline the importance of continued reporting and monitoring of the situation of human rights in Afghanistan by the UN.
I would end with a special “Thank You” to the staff of UN and its partners in Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries, whose efforts in delivering aid and stability for the benefit of the people of Afghanistan have been vital during this time of crisis.