The British association Christian Aid in turn indicated on Monday that it was suspending its activities in Afghanistan, becoming the fifth NGO to announce such a measure because of the ban on the employment of women in humanitarian work.

"Christian Aid is quickly seeking clarification on this announcement and urges the authorities to reverse this ban," said Ray Hasan, Christian Aid's regional manager, in a statement.

In the meantime, "we are unfortunately interrupting the work of our programs", he added.

“Barring women from humanitarian work will only reduce our ability to help the growing number of people in need, and risks worsening the terrible humanitarian crisis that women and girls face,” said he added.

“In addition, this decision will deeply disrupt families who depend on the income of female aid workers in the context of the severe economic crisis in Afghanistan,” he continued.

“Millions of people” are “on the verge of starvation”

Christian Aid official points out that 'millions of people' are 'on the brink of starvation' in the country, to the point that it has been reported that families 'are so desperate that they have been forced to sell their children to buy food.

On Sunday, three NGOs - Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council and CARE International - jointly announced the suspension of their activities, before being joined by a fourth, the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

The Afghan Ministry of Economy on Saturday ordered all non-governmental organizations to stop working with women or risk having their operating license suspended.

It was not clarified whether the directive concerned foreign female staff of NGOs.

The ministry said it made the decision after receiving "serious complaints" about non-compliance with the wearing of the "Islamic hijab" imposed in the country.

According to the United Nations and aid agencies, more than half of the country's 38 million people need humanitarian assistance during the harsh winter.

World

Afghanistan: Forbidden to work with women, NGOs suspend their activities

World

Afghanistan: Taliban ban women from working for NGOs

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