OREANDA-NEWS. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres fears a complete collapse of the basic supply system in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of the last American soldiers from there. «A humanitarian catastrophe is coming», he said on the evening of Tuesday, August 31, in New York, noting that people in Afghanistan are losing access to the most basic goods and services every day.

«Almost half of the population of Afghanistan — 18 million people — is vitally dependent on humanitarian aid. Every third person does not know how he will get food next time. More than half of all children under the age of five are likely to suffer from malnutrition next year», Guterres said.

The UN Secretary General called on all member countries of the world organization to help the Afghans «in this difficult hour» and to provide flexible and broad assistance in a timely manner. At the same time, he appealed to all parties to ensure safe and unhindered access to humanitarian aid for all Afghans in need.