Findings of Oxfam’s Independent Fact-Finding Mission on the Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan and on its Borders
Lloyd Axworthy et al.
November 6, 2001
The name Afghanistan is ever-present on the lips of politicians and the television screens of the world. But the Afghan people and the terrible humanitarian crisis they suffer has been all but absent. With all the attention on Afghanistan, the interests and concerns of the Afghan people have somehow got lost.
This mission has sought to rectify this in some small way. We have spoken to Afghans and to those non-Afghans most concerned with the humanitarian crisis. We have heard very disturbing stories on all sides. Those involved in seeking to address the crisis now predict tens of thousands may be dead by the end of next month, more than 100,000 children dead by the end of the winter.
The parties to the conflict currently consuming Afghanistan have placed all their resources into the war effort. We call on them to put the same drive, resources and expertise to bear on addressing the humanitarian conflict.
