Italy chairs G20 virtual meeting on Afghanistan (Filippo Attili)

United Nations, October 12 (RHC)-- Leaders of the G20 nations held a virtual meeting on Tuesday to discuss ways to help address the growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.  

After the Taliban seized power, the United States, IMF and World Bank cut off funds to Afghanistan, which is heavily reliant on foreign aid.  The United Nations estimates 1 million Afghan children are at risk of starvation.  

On Monday, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres urged the foreign community to address the crisis.  Guterres said: “Right now with assets frozen and development aid paused, the economy is breaking down, banks are closing, and essential services, such as healthcare, have been suspended in many places.  We need to find ways to make the economy breathe again, and this can be done without violating international laws or compromising principles.”