KABUL, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), together with its partners, launched a humanitarian operation on Tuesday to deliver urgently needed assistance to conflict-affected communities in eastern Afghanistan's Nuristan Province.
The operation is being carried out in coordination with the Afghan Red Crescent Society and the World Food Programme in Afghanistan.
According to the ICRC, about 136,000 people from around 17,000 households in the districts of Kamdesh and Barg-e-Matal have been suffering from severe shortages of food, health care and essential household items over the past two months due to insecurity and limited access.
Since early April, the ICRC and its partners have engaged in continuous dialogue with all parties to the conflict to secure safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian operations. Following these efforts, the delivery of essential supplies, including food and medical items, has begun. With roads to Nuristan Province reopening, local markets are gradually being replenished, and medical evacuations have resumed.
At the same time, humanitarian agencies are working closely with community representatives to ensure that assistance meets the most urgent needs on the ground. Initial assessments show that demands remain high, particularly in food security, health care and basic services.
The ICRC reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality, and called on all parties to facilitate safe, sustained and unhindered access to vulnerable populations. ■
