UNAMA and Taliban Authorities Hold Coordination Meeting in Panjshir
The Panjshir provincial media office announced that, coinciding with the extension of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan’s (UNAMA) mandate, a coordination meeting was held with the presence of the Central Zone head of this organization, representatives from nine UN-affiliated agencies, and officials from the Taliban administration in the province.
According to the newsletter, the meeting was chaired by Hafiz Mohammad Agha Hakim, Panjshir’s governor representing the Taliban administration. The discussions revolved around various developmental and humanitarian programs and projects. The primary focus was on development needs and how to improve coordination between international organizations and the local administration.
The Panjshir governor stated that from the perspective of reconstruction and local economic growth, Panjshir remains one of the less developed provinces in the country and has not received adequate attention in the past. He emphasized the importance of utilizing the presence of international organizations to implement development projects and improve the economic conditions of the residents.
The provincial media office further added that the Taliban administration welcomed the activities of UN organizations and pledged to support programs aimed at the welfare and betterment of the people’s lives. However, it is expected that these collaborations will be accompanied by transparency and accountability to ensure that international aid reaches those in need effectively and fairly.
Tabita, the head of UNAMA’s Central Zone, praised the cooperation of Panjshir’s local administration, stating that the organization is prepared to continue its role as a facilitator in coordinating humanitarian activities and addressing the people’s needs. She added that following the one-year extension of UNAMA’s mandate, the mission will continue its efforts to attract international aid and share the population’s needs with relevant agencies.
During the meeting, representatives from various UN agencies presented reports on their activities. The UN Habitat office announced the launch of support programs for displaced persons in Panjshir, the World Health Organization spoke about ongoing healthcare services and efforts to combat communicable diseases, and the UN Development Program highlighted its implementation of infrastructure projects.
Additionally, UNESCO representative noted the agency’s activities in media, education, and capacity building. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reported on mental health programs, while UNICEF confirmed support for 121 health centers and ongoing work in education, clean drinking water, and natural disaster response.
The UN Project Services Office also announced plans to implement five urban development projects worth over $600,000 in Panjshir this year. According to the Panjshir provincial media office, nearly $16 million worth of development and public welfare projects have been secured for the province this year, to be executed by international organizations and partner institutions.
