Good afternoon, everyone; nice to see so many faces. So, on Afghanistan, this morning, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, briefed Members on the humanitarian situation in the country — and on his recent visit to the country — as part of an Inter-Agency Standing Committee mission. Mr. Griffiths said that they told the de facto authorities that a 24 December 2022 edict barring women from working for national and international NGOs [non-governmental organizations] is doing no favours for the people of Afghanistan.

Women are an essential, central component of the humanitarian operation in Afghanistan, he stressed, noting that, if the ban is not revoked, more exceptions are needed to allow female aid workers to resume their activities. He noted that we have received exceptions in the health and education sectors, which have enabled activities to restart. Mr. Griffiths also underscored that humanitarian agencies will continue to work and be present in Afghanistan unless there is a blanket opposition to women working. The humanitarian community does not go on strike, but seeks ways to work in a principled manner. This year's Humanitarian Response Plan for Afghanistan is seeking $4.6 billion to help 28 million people in need, with some six million people close to famine.