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| UN Appeals for a Lull in Attacks on Afghanistan |
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SUN, OCT 14, 2001
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Afghanistan's ruling Taliban has refused for the second time to hand over Osama bin Laden. They say that he isn't the issue and the Talibans position towards him hasn't changed.
Meanwhile, as US-led forces launch a new round of military operations against the Taliban on Saturday morning, the United Nations appeals for a lull in the fighting so that humanitarian assistance can be delivered to Afghanistan. Aid to refugees from the country has resumed.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robertson has called for a halt in the bombing campaign so that food supplies can be sent into Afghanistan. She said millions could starve if aid was not delivered before winter sets in.
The UN representative in a news briefing in Islamabad appealed to the world community to ensure food supplies to Afghans. Food stockpiles in the country can't last more than two months.
The aid agencies are facing difficulties in the transport of relief goods to people without shelter inside Afghanistan.
The UNHCR spokesman has appealed to Afghanistan's neighbours to open their borders with the country so refugees can be provided with shelter and food.
The World Food Programme has estimated that up to 7.5 million people in Afghanistan will need food aid this winter, as a result of more than three years of devastating drought on top of more than two decades of war and civil strife.
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