Pope Francis openly expressed his concern for the developing crisis in Afghanistan, where the Taliban has returned to power after 20 years.
POPE FRANCIS
'I join the unanimous concern for the situation in Afghanistan. I ask all of you to pray with me to the God of peace so that the clamor of weapons might cease and solutions can be found at the table of dialogue. Only thus can the battered population of that country—men, women, elderly and children—return to their homes, and live in peace and security, in total mutual respect.'
United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called on the Taliban “to immediately halt the offensive and to negotiate in good faith in the interest of Afghanistan and its people.”
ANTONIO GUTERRES
UN Secretary-General
“Even a country that has tragically known generations of conflict, Afghanistan is in the throes of yet another chaotic and desperate chapter—an incredible tragedy for its long suffering people.”
Hundreds of people flocked to the airport in Kabul last weekend, hoping to flee the country. Thousands of Afghan refugees are now driven by fear, uncertainty and a profound sense of abandonment.
@AlinejadMasih
“We don't count because we were born in Afghanistan. I cannot help crying. I have to wipe my tears to be able to film this video. No one cares about us. We'll die slowly in history. Isn't it funny?”
A United Nations spokesperson said that women and children make up about 80 percent of the nearly quarter of a million Afghans forced to flee since May, and that the impact of the conflict on women and girls is especially concerning.
CT/JRB
UNIFEED / VM
