The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Saturday called its member and non-member states to mobilize the necessary financial resources in order to organize and implement an urgent humanitarian assistance plan to support the Afghan people. The OIC at the the opening session of the senior official meeting preparatory to the OIC extraordinary meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, held on 18 December 2021 in Islamabad, stated that Afghanistan needs the full support and solidarity of the member States. The Assistant Secretary General of Humanitarian Affairs, Amb. Tarig Ali Bakhit Salah confirmed during the meeting, after decades of war, suffering and insecurity, the Afghan people are in dire need of relief and peace. "It is crucial for the international community to take swift action to ensure that the people of Afghanistan have unimpeded access to life-saving assistance, and that humanitarian support is scaled up," said Amb. Tarig. "The OIC humanitarian Office in Kabul will assume its responsibility in coordination with the various international agencies in delivering the required assistance to the millions of people in need," he added. the OIC fraternity, the United Nations, regional partners as well as key stakeholders would take all necessary steps to bring sustainable solutions to the Afghan people, Amb. Tarig said while expressing confidence over the organizations, due to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Afghanistan in which millions of lives are at stake. Amb. Tarig expressed his sincere gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the Chair of the Islamic Summit for taking the important initiative, as the Kingdom has previously called on the OCI to urgently convene an extraordinary ministerial meeting to discuss the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and pathways for a humanitarian response. Amb. Tarig also expressed his deep appreciation to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for its generosity in hosting the Conference. SG
