IRC statement on UK co-hosting funding summit on Afghanistan

February 15, 2022 —  Laura Kyrke-Smith, IRC UK Executive Director said:

“The Government’s decision to step up and co-host the high-level funding summit for Afghanistan is hugely welcome. The UK has the power and ability to prevent catastrophe in Afghanistan and the Government is to be commended for choosing to do so.”

The Government must use this opportunity not just to secure pledges of humanitarian aid but to address the economic crisis in Afghanistan. The priority is to urgently release frozen assets and secure commitments from the World Bank and IMF to engage, including by providing technical advice to the Afghan Central Bank."