IRIN Interview with Under-Secretary-General Kenzo Oshima

Recent events have added a new and urgent dimension to Afghanistan's protracted political and humanitarian problems. On Thursday, UN Under-Secretary and Emergency Relief Coordinator Kenzo Oshima completed a five-day mission to the region at the request of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, following the latter's appeal last week for over half a billion dollars to shore up the UN's humanitarian effort for Afghanistan. The appeal aims to provide assistance during the current crisis to some 7.5 million Afghans - both those in their home country and those seeking shelter in neighbouring states - who are projected to require outside aid to survive. As Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Kenzo Oshima oversees all UN efforts in a situation such as this. During his visits to Pakistan and Iran, he met senior government leaders, UN agency heads, aid workers and others, with whom he discussed the UN's comprehensive regional preparations currently being implemented to meet head-on the challenge of this latest crisis. In an exclusive interview with IRIN, the Under-Secretary shared his views on what needed to be done and why getting assistance into Afghanistan now was his top priority, given the millions of people at risk. "The message is clear: the time to act is now," he said. QUESTION: Why did the Secretary-General ask you to come? ANSWER: Since the tragic events of 11 September, there has been a rapid deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. There is a fear that the accelerating, deepening crisis there could develop into a stunning tragedy. The Secretary-General asked me to go to the region to make a first-hand assessment of the state of the UN's preparedness, and to speak to the governments of Pakistan and Iran on how the UN and these neighbouring countries can cooperate to address the situation. Q: Given what you have seen on the ground, what is your greatest concern? A: Even before the events of 11 September, the entire aid community in Afghanistan was racing against the calendar, against the onslaught of winter. But now the situation has become quickly and dramatically worse. In fact, we are slipping backwards by the day. We are losing opportunities to get in the aid needed to save the lives of millions of desperate innocent civilians. Q: What are the regional implications for the area? A: We are particularly working on how to best help the vulnerable population of Afghans inside of Afghanistan. We are also in discussions about possible refugee influxes from Afghanistan. Depending on the seriousness and the magnitude of the crisis, it could develop into a catastrophe that will have serious impacts on neighbouring countries, and implications on regional stability. So, it is a serious crisis, and countries around the region have concerns about what is happening in Afghanistan. Q: With so many people at risk within Afghanistan, how do you plan to get food to inaccessible areas within the country? A: We are looking at how best to help, and looking at more possible ways to do this. Agencies such as WFP and UNICEF are making bold efforts through cross-border operations to get supplies shipped inside of Afghanistan. Currently, the operating environment inside Afghanistan is not feasible. In fact, it is a risky operation and a logistical nightmare. Nonetheless, agencies are being bold and innovative. Q: Following the pull-out of UN international staff from Afghanistan, which has greatly hindered the United Nations' ability to provide assistance, in terms of logistics, what regional mechanism has the UN put into place so that it is well coordinated? A: The Secretary-General has already appointed a UN regional humanitarian coordinator. Major operational agencies have appointed their senior persons with regional responsibilities to address the crisis situation at regional levels. In addition, there have been efforts to strengthen staff capacity. Moreover, on top of this, the Secretary-General has just appointed his special representative on Afghanistan with responsibilities on political, as well as humanitarian concerns. So, already the UN has moved fast to put into place a mechanism that is expected to effectively deal with the coordination of agency efforts. Q: It is estimated that up to 1.5 million Afghan refugees may flee into Pakistan, Iran and neighbouring Central Asian countries. What, if anything, can be done to avert such a calamity? A: Several agencies - in fact the entire humanitarian community - are struggling to get in as much aid as feasible. They are sparing no effort to reach as many needy people as possible. This kind of aid can help Afghan people survive in their homes and communities. In this way, they won't have to leave for the cities or [places] beyond Afghanistan's borders. The more successful we are in this endeavour, the less likelihood of refugees crossing the border. Q: In your meeting with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, what did you discuss, and did you have any reservations about the results? A: No. During my meetings with the president and ministers, I expressed appreciation for the cooperation that the government of Pakistan has extended to the UN over the years in addressing humanitarian problems in and around Afghanistan. The government and people of Pakistan have been very generous in helping Afghan refugees. I had a very good meeting, and I got their commitment to cooperate with the UN in addressing the current crisis. I came away very encouraged. Q: So you are confident of their cooperation? A: I am. Q: All of Afghanistan's neighbours have sealed their borders. What effect has this had on the crisis? Does this make the situation within the country worse? A: We would hope that all neighbouring countries of Afghanistan would keep their borders open to allow people who deserve protection and assistance the opportunity to get it. But, at the same time, the neighbours have expressed [fears] that there are problems and serious concerns, including security concerns, about keeping the borders open. I think we have to be sensitive to the problems and concerns of the neighbouring countries. We will have to find some accommodation of interests in such a way that they meet the humanitarian imperative, addressing at the same time the concerns of neighbouring countries. And I trust there is a way to find this accommodation. Q: During your meeting with the Taliban ambassador in Islamabad, what did you discuss? A: I expressed to the Taliban ambassador disappointment in the sense that we cannot approve of the measures taken by the Taliban regarding the humanitarian agencies. Nonetheless, I also expressed our commitment to continue with humanitarian activities inside of Afghanistan, security permitting. I indicated to him that we would be prepared to send international staff back, providing certain conditions were met, including a guarantee of the security of staff, means of communication, and a monitoring mechanism. He said that personally he found my proposal acceptable, but he could not commit the authority. He did, however, promised to refer them to Kandahar [spiritual headquarters of the Taliban], and come back to us when he hears some kind of response. Q: So no date has been set? A: No date has been set. Q: On Wednesday in Tehran, you met with the Iranian president. How responsive have the Iranian authorities been during this crisis? A: In my discussions with the president of Iran and other government ministers, they expressed their support for the United Nations' efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in and around Afghanistan. They pledged their cooperation, and they themselves are prepared to take certain measures, especially with the potential outflows of refugees. I got the sense that we have enough ground to work together to address the challenge which Iran and its neighbours may face in the next few weeks and months. Q: The Iranian government has proposed establishing refugee camps inside Afghanistan in an effort to avert a major influx across the border. How feasible is such an option and what concerns do you have? A: Camps inside Afghanistan are of course not an ideal solution. But, in the present situation, it is very difficult to find straightforward solutions to the problem. It is a balancing act between the humanitarian imperative and the problems and concerns of the host countries. The challenge is to find a solution in a way that meets the requirements of people in need, as well as [those of] the host government. Flexibility, practicality, as well as humanitarian principles, are all needed. We all must work together to find a solution. Q: If armed conflict broke out inside Afghanistan, wouldn't this put thousands of people in these camps at risk? A: If there is increased armed conflict inside the country, most likely, in one way or another, it will affect the civilian population. This will lead to a graver situation as far as the humanitarians are concerned. That is all the more reason we will have to be prepared to meet the best [way] we can the emergency situations that may arise. Q: Could you offer an alternative to camps within Afghanistan? If so, what? A: This is something that will need to be discussed with the Pakistani and Iranian governments. UNHCR is of course the principal agency concerned with this regard, and I understand they are already engaged in discussions with the relevant authorities. Q: On Friday you will be attending the Afghan forum on refugees and displacement in Geneva, where you will be speaking with members of the Afghan Support Group, key UN agencies, government representatives and the donor community. What will you tell them? A: The Geneva forum provides a rare opportunity where the three stakeholders are coming together with a humanitarian agenda - the UN agencies, the Afghan Support Group, and the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan. Refugees and internal migration are the major issues of discussion. The forum meeting in this form is the first ever of its kind, and I think it will prove an opportunity for dialogue and in-depth discussion of issues of concern for all three parties. As convenor, along with UNHCR, I hope I will be able to address the issues of immediate concern and urgency about the problems, and the need to find practical solutions. Additionally, I would hope that the forum would be an opportunity also to search for durable solutions. I would also like to stress the need to restore peace and show respect for human rights [and] to establish a rule of law in order to achieve durable solutions. Q: In the wake of what has happened, how has donor response been? Will there be sufficient funds to avert a major catastrophe? A: The Secretary-General has launched a Donor Alert in response to the current crisis in Afghanistan for US $584 million. Already, there have been indications of contributions and pledges. The response has been quite positive, and I understand that pledges from major key donors have been made. Recent contributions already constitute a sizeable portion of the need, and I am greatly encouraged by this. Q: You mentioned earlier a "window of opportunity". How much time have we got? A: We only have a few weeks left for our effort to address the needs inside the country in terms of getting food aid and other supplies shipped. The onset of winter is expected to be in mid-November. After that, operations will become exceedingly difficult. We must make every effort to take advantage of this short, narrow window of opportunity being open to us. Q: How important are the NGOs to the UN's contingency plans for Afghanistan? A: NGOs play a very crucial role. Many of them implement programmes developed by UN agencies in addition to their own programmes, which are directed to the needs of the people. We count on all the support and cooperation we can get from the NGOs, and there is every need for the UN and NGOs to work together here. Q: In conclusion, your visit highlights the Secretary-General's grave concern over the developing crisis. What message will you bring back to him? A: First of all, the crisis is deepening. We need to move quickly. We need the Secretary-General's continued involvement and leadership, which he has already demonstrated. I would also tell him that the countries I visited, in facing the challenge, have indicated to us readiness and support of the United Nations effort in the humanitarian area, and that it is very much important to continue to work together with them.