Attachments
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset, please allow me to express my appreciation to esteemed Governments of Qatar, United Kingdom and Germany, and also to the United Nations, for convening this High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Supporting the Humanitarian Response in Afghanistan. I would say that this is a timely initiative at this critical juncture of this war-torn country.
As two South Asian nations, the people of Afghanistan and Bangladesh have historical and cultural linkages. Bangladesh is committed to working with the people of Afghanistan to advance the visionary policy of Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who believes that this region must grow and prosper together for sustainable development.
Excellencies,
As Bangladeshis, we have special stake in ensuring that the humanitarian needs of the people of Afghanistan are met, recalling the support they extended to us regarding the safe passage of our nationals during our great Liberation War in 1971.
Bangladesh hopes that Afghanistan's socio-economic progress will continue uninterrupted, allowing all segments of society to participate successfully to the country's rebuilding. I would like to reiterate that we are ready to collaborate in the process of development, particularly in the areas of primary healthcare, child health, sanitation, ICT, girls’ education, and agriculture. Indeed, some of our reputed NGOs have been working in these sectors in Afghanistan for years.
Excellencies,
Bangladesh always values the UN's humanitarian response process and is ready to participate in such a response for the people of Afghanistan. Our first aim has always been to save innocent lives. As such, we will gladly contribute with the following donations:
- 10,000 metric tons of rice
- 1,000 metric tons of potato
- 1,000 metric tons of pulses
- 1,000 metric tons of baby food including biscuits, milk powder and noodles.
Worth 10 million Bangladeshi Taka (equivalent to about 117,000 USD)
Excellencies,
With more than 24.4 million people in Afghanistan requiring humanitarian aid to survive, now is the time for the global community to step up our collective humanitarian support to avoid a possible tragedy. I take this occasion to call upon all Member States of the UN, specially the developed nations, to come forward for the people of Afghanistan with adequate humanitarian assistance. This is indeed an major responsibility of the international community today.
I thank you all.
Jay Bangla,
Jay Bangabandhu