Statement by the chairs of the UN Afghanistan pledging summit, co-hosted by the UK, Germany and Qatar.

Today 31 March 2022, we the co-hosts from OCHA, Germany, Qatar and the United Kingdom led the Afghanistan pledging conference for 2022. We were joined by the United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres, 38 Ministers and Deputy Ministers, as well as distinguished representatives from 115 countries, organisations and International Financial Institutions.

This year the UN launched its largest ever humanitarian appeal recognising the unprecedented scale of the crisis in Afghanistan. More than 24.4 million people require humanitarian assistance to survive. Food security levels have plunged at a rate not seen elsewhere in such a short period, with half the population facing acute hunger, including 9 million people in emergency food insecurity – the highest number globally. Malnutrition is on the rise, and livelihoods have been destroyed. In response, today the international community confirmed its support for the people of Afghanistan at this critical time.

Whilst we have seen a reduction in armed conflict across the country, its legacy still impacts the Afghan population with an estimated 6 million people remaining internally displaced, and the continued risk posed across the country by unexploded ordnance.

The Afghan people deserve to live in dignity, peace and security, reflecting the last two decades of their political, economic and social achievements, in particular for women and girls.

We, the co-hosts paid tribute to the tireless efforts of humanitarian aid agencies and workers in Afghanistan who have remained steadfast during these challenging times, delivering critical humanitarian aid through a difficult winter period.

We expressed our gratitude to the distinguished representatives of Afghanistan’s civil society, who discussed the humanitarian situation on the ground, with a particular focus on women and children, for their tireless and courageous efforts in supporting the Afghan people.

Today’s conference showcased the spirit of global solidarity and our enduring commitment to the people of Afghanistan:

• pledges of $2.4bn in support of the continued humanitarian response
• in addition, announcements were made by International Financial Institutions, including initiatives of $405m from the Asian Development Bank in support of basic services and agreement by the World Bank Board to make available $1.2bn from Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund
• there has also been generous support from Afghanistan’s neighbours who provide vital in-kind assistance including food supplies, energy and infrastructure, and support for large numbers of refugees who have fled Afghanistan

We, the co-hosts committed to ensuring that humanitarian aid in 2022 is tailored to ensure that the distinct needs of women and girls are addressed in our support

The co-hosts expressed their appreciation to Martin Griffiths for his engagement with the Taliban to seek reassurance of their commitment to humanitarian principles and to continue to respect and facilitate the delivery of independent humanitarian assistance.

The co-hosts expressed their deep concern and disappointment at the Taliban’s decision to restrict access to secondary education for girls, despite earlier commitments to do so. They reaffirmed the right to education for all Afghans, including girls, and called on the Taliban to respect the right to education for all, and adhere to their commitments to reopen schools for all female students. The co-hosts also underscored the importance of the international community engaging in constructive dialogue with the Taliban to make progress on this and other important issues.

[ENDS]

Dr Thomas Waite will support Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Professor Chris Whitty as the deputy CMO (DCMO) leading on health protection, replacing Professor Jonathan Van-Tam who stepped down on 31 March 2022. His role will cover emergency response and preparedness, infectious diseases, vaccines and therapeutics.

Dr Waite graduated in Medicine from Cardiff University and holds postgraduate qualifications in public health, medical toxicology and medical education. After his medical and public health training, he held posts in global health, infectious disease and environmental health protection. More recently he was Director of the UK Field Epidemiology Training Programme and helped establish the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, leading their first overseas deployment to Ethiopia.

Dr Waite helped create and lead the Joint Biosecurity Centre which provided evidence-based, objective analysis to inform local and national decision-making in response to COVID and has been interim DCMO since May 2021.

Dr Thomas Waite said:

I am delighted to be appointed as the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Health Protection. I am looking forward to the opportunity of working with teams throughout the country to develop our preparedness for health hazards and emergencies and to protect the health of the public.

Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer, said:

Dr Waite has an excellent track record of delivery. His wealth of experience in epidemiology and emergency preparedness will benefit the government’s ongoing public health responses as well as help us to prepare for future events.

The CMO acts as the UK government’s principal medical adviser, and the professional head of all directors of public health in local government and the medical profession in government.

The CMO is an independent position at permanent secretary level, supported by 3 DCMOs. The role provides public health and clinical advice to ministers in the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and across government.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved an update to the current UK approval of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, or ‘Spikevax’, that allows its use in Great Britain (GB) in 6 to 11 year-olds.

This approval takes into account the extension to use in children aged 6 to 11 years already approved by the European Medicines Agency on 2 March 2022, as the original GB licence for Spikevax in adults was approved by relying on the EU decision.

Spikevax is authorised in children aged 6 to 11 in Northern Ireland under the update granted by the European Medicines Agency on 2 March.

Dr June Raine, MHRA Chief Executive, said:

I am pleased to confirm that that the COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna, ‘Spikevax’, has now been authorised in Great Britain in 6 to 11 year olds. The vaccine is safe and effective in this age group.

We have in place a comprehensive surveillance strategy for monitoring the safety of all UK-approved COVID-19 vaccines and this surveillance includes those aged 6 to 11.

It is for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to advise in due course on whether 6 to 11s should be offered vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna as part of the deployment programme.

Notes to editors

• The Spikevax vaccine was authorised in adults aged 18 years and over on 8 January 2021, and for those aged 12-17 on 17 August 2021
• No important new side effects were identified in those aged 12-17 and the safety data in children were comparable with those seen in young adults. As in young adults, the majority of adverse events were mild to moderate and relating to reactogenicity, such as a sore arm or tiredness.
• More information can be found in the Spikevax Product Information
• The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for regulating all medicines, vaccines and medical devices in the UK. All MHRA’s work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits outweigh any risks.