United Nations, Feb 26 (IANS): Witnessing the enormity of human suffering during an Afghanistan visit, an international panel of emergency experts called for urgent, life-saving action, UN humanitarians said.
The group of eight senior representatives of UN agencies and non-governmental organisations issued their plea after spending five days in the war-torn country, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said, Xinhua news agency reported.
"People's reserves are exhausted, forcing many into harmful coping mechanisms to survive, including child marriages and child labour," the office said.
"Women and girls are particularly affected with many of their rights under threat," the office said.
More than 24 million people, or 59 per cent of the country's population, now require life-saving assistance, 30 per cent more than in 2021, it said.