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Afghanistan

Seven million Afghans to benefit from 2010 Humanitarian Action Plan

17 February 2010 - Today the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Government of Afghanistan officially presented the 2010 Humanitarian Action Plan (HAP) in Kabul.

The HAP aims to improve the efficiency and timeliness of humanitarian action in Afghanistan.

Based on an in-depth assessment by the UN and a number of NGO, the HAP outlines the vital, life-saving actions which are required to address immediate needs of vulnerable populations in Afghanistan.

The rising insecurity in Afghanistan, combined with the many hazards to which the country is prone, such as avalanches, earthquakes, drought and floods, have left the majority of Afghans extremely vulnerable. The ongoing conflict further limits the ability of humanitarian organisations to access many parts of the country in order to assess needs and provide resources. Serving all Afghanistan's vulnerable communities is the focus of the 2010 Humanitarian Action Plan.

"We are confronting an ongoing complex emergency," said Robert Watkins, the Humanitarian Coordinator. "Long-term development needs are interwoven with the dynamic, acute needs of emergencies that require immediate response. The 2010 HAP aims to create a safety net, while recovery and development initiatives deliver tangible results for communities."

US$ 870.5 million is required to support emerging and ongoing emergencies over the year in Afghanistan. Some 41 percent of the total will support projects by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) whose role in aid delivery has increased following threats against the UN in 2009.The humanitarian community relies on the continued generosity and support of the donor community.

For further information, contact:

OCHA: Orla Fagan: Telephone +93 79 (0) 5878712; email fagano@un.org

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