The United Kingdom will increase aid in response to the crisis in Afghanistan to £286 million ($394 million) according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Johnson said “formidably difficult circumstances” lay ahead for Afghans, and he called for a regional humanitarian response led by the United Nations. The Taliban is currently consolidating its newfound position of power in Kabul after ousting the national army, prompting scenes of chaos in the capital as Afghans attempt to flee.
“We will do everything we can to avert a humanitarian crisis,” Johnson told members of Parliament in an emergency debate held on Wednesday during the summer break. The session became heated as many MPs — even from the government's own party — attacked ministers for their conduct toward Afghanistan and over the aid budget cuts.
"You cannot coordinate an international response from the beach," said Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, referring to the fact that Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was reportedly vacationing on a beach in Crete as Kabul began to fall.
Afghan aid workers targeted by Taliban but excluded from UK evacuation
Afghanistan's development was a key aspect of U.K. intervention in the country. But development groups now say Afghan aid workers are being hunted by the Taliban and unable to leave due to bureaucracy.
“The bulk of the effort of this country will be directed and should be directed to supporting people in Afghanistan and in the region in order to prevent a worse humanitarian crisis,” Johnson said. “In that conviction, I am supported very strongly by President Macron of France and Chancellor Merkel of Germany.”
He promised to immediately double the amount of U.K. assistance already pledged to Afghanistan.
At the time of publication, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office had not responded to a request for information clarifying whether the increased aid for Afghanistan will be in addition to the current aid budget or come out of other projects.
It was also unclear exactly how the money will be spent. U.K. aid to Afghanistan was £292 million in 2019 — which was prior to the aid budget cuts but is the most recent from last year for which full information is available.
Alongside criticism of the broader foreign policy implications of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, ministers were also chided over the cuts to the aid budget.
“The prime minister bears a heavy responsibility,” said Starmer. “He was in a position to lead, but he didn’t. Britain holds a seat at the United Nations Security Council, we’re a key player within NATO, we’re chair of the G-7, every one of these platforms could and should have been used to prepare for the withdrawal of forces, to rally international support for the stabilization of Afghanistan … [instead] he [Johnson] cut the development budget that was key to the strength and resilience of democracy in Afghanistan.”
About the author
William Worley@willrworley
Will Worley is the Climate Correspondent for Devex, covering the intersection of development and climate change. He previously worked as UK Correspondent, reporting on the FCDO and British aid policy during a time of seismic reforms. Will’s extensive reporting on the UK aid cuts saw him shortlisted for ‘Specialist Journalist of the Year’ in 2021 by the British Journalism Awards. He can be reached at william.worley@devex.com.
