UN mission welcomes humanitarian exception in Afghan sanctions

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Thursday welcomed the adoption of a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution that allows a humanitarian exception in the UN sanctions regime applicable in Afghanistan.

The mission said on Twitter that it welcomed the UNSC decision of facilitating the delivery of urgent humanitarian help to millions in need in the country.

The mission urged the Taliban authorities and international community to "accelerate necessary next steps to support needs and rights of Afghan people, including the broader, underlying, economic crisis impacting society."

The Security Council resolution exempts humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs in Afghanistan from the asset freeze against designated leaders of the Taliban and associated entities.

The statement came as UN agencies, aid organizations and a number of non-governmental organizations are racing against the time to deliver life-saving aid and supplies to crisis-hit Afghans ahead of winter.