South Asian Center for Strategic Studies (GASAM) held an online conference on "Humanitarian Diplomacy and Aids in Afghanistan". The conference, moderated by GASAM President Cemal Demir, was attended by former Afghan deputy Hamiduddin Yoldash, Turkey Diyanet Foundation Afghanistan Officer Dr. Abdulcelil Alpkıray, IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation Afghanistan Coordinator Mücahit Kılıç as speakers. The speakers shared their knowledge about Afghanistan with the participants and evaluated the current humanitarian, political and economic situation in the country.
"WHOEVER CLINGS TO AMERICA, THE END WILL BE SWAMP"
Reminding that the Afghan people have not bowed to the invaders throughout history, former Afghan deputy Hamiduddin Yoldash said, "Afghanistan has entered a new era since August 15. In the last 2 centuries, the people of Afghanistan have thwarted the invasions of 3 great states, Britain, Russia and the USA. From each of these invasions, destruction, chaos and great drama remained. We gained the following experience from the 20 years long American occupation; whoever clings to America will end up getting stuck in the swamp. Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic society. These ethnic groups have fought shoulder to shoulder against the invaders throughout history. But in the last 20 years, great seeds of discord have been planted among these brotherly peoples, and various plans have been implemented. Today, an atmosphere of peace has emerged in Afghanistan with the Taliban administration. At least there is no more bloodshed in the country. People feel safe. The Taliban should use this atmosphere of trust in a positive way. Taliban can prevent the negative effects of external forces on Afghanistan by making appointments from different ethnic groups in the new administration of Afghanistan."
“PEOPLE ARE DYING TO FREEZE TO GET AID”
Talking about the difficulties of humanitarian aid work in Afghanistan, Turkey Diyanet Foundation Afghanistan person who is in charge, Dr. Abdulcelil Alpkiray said, “Afghanistan is one of the countries in the Islamic world that has had the longest lasting problems. You may remember that during the Russian occupation, aid was collected and sent to Afghanistan after the Friday prayers in Turkey, and it cured the wounds of the people there. In the current conditions, the aid cannot be effective enough as there are infrastructure problems in the country. Where there is no infrastructure, the aid does not make sense for the development of the country, even if the daily food needs of the people are met. Unfortunately, Afghanistan is still a country in need of assistance today, as international aid that came to Afghanistan during the previous governments was not spent on improving the country's infrastructure, employment and production. While international aid reaching Afghanistan can easily reach big cities such as Kabul, Mazar-i Sharif, Kandahar, and Jalalabad, it is very difficult to reach the most extreme points we call the provinces, such as Helmend, Bagram and Nuristan. People in the countryside flock to metropolitan cities for aid to reach them, and they seek shelter in cloth tents in cities with poor infrastructure. Unfortunately, there are many people who froze to death while waiting for help in these tents.”
“AFGHAN PEOPLE, DISGUSTED WITH CORRUPTION, GET CLOSER TO THE TALIBAN”
Expressing that the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is deepening day by day, IHH Afghanistan Coordinator Mücahit Kılıç said, “Although the main reason for the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is the wars, natural factors are also important. The drought in the country this year is the most severe in the last 20 years. Considering that 80 percent of Afghanistan's economy is based on agriculture, we can say that this drought has caused a great humanitarian crisis. Farmers who cannot cultivate their land are forced to migrate, this grueling migration journey causes great difficulties. Due to poor infrastructure in Afghanistan, 70 percent of the population does not have access to clean water. This brings along various diseases. In the pre-Taliban governments, international aid was not distributed fairly, discrimination and corruption were made as reflected in the reports. Corruption of previous governments increased Afghan people's support and confidence in the Taliban. The Taliban took over power in Afghanistan on August 15, with great economic devastation. The poverty rate in the country is very high.”