Pearl Jam & RATM's Tom Morello Urge U.S. to Act on Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis
Pearl Jam and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello are urging action from the U.S. government to address the dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, where more than 23 million people are facing what the United Nations calls “acute food insecurity” and near famine-level conditions in the wake of the August 2021 withdrawal of American military forces and the Taliban’s subsequent takeover of the country.
The two Seattle-based rock groups have joined fellow musicians Grouplove and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club as well as Hollywood couple Amanda Seyfried and Thomas Sadoski in an open letter in tandem with major humanitarian organizations. Their hope is to raise awareness for current conditions in Afghanistan in the wake of the August 2021 withdrawal of American military forces and the Taliban’s subsequent takeover of the country.
“In seeing the situation in Afghanistan unfold over the last few months, we feel there is a moral urgency to do what we can,” Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready tells Variety. “For us, it is really trying to bring more attention to what is happening and that there are actions governments can take to prevent millions from starving. Our country has played an outsized role in Afghanistan for decades and we can’t look away now just because the military officially withdrew.”
The letter is co-signed non-governmental organizations such as Alliance for Peacebuilding, CARE USA, Catholic Relief Services, International Rescue Committee, InterAction, Norwegian Refugee Council USA, Save the Children USA, War Child USA and World Vision U.S.
According to the U.N., more than 100,000 Afghan children could die of starvation without foreign aid, the delivery of which has been compromised due to the collapse of the country’s banking system. “While prices skyrocket, Afghan families cannot access cash to pay for food, medicine or other basic items,” the letter reads. “The U.S. and global leaders must facilitate banking access for Afghans and find new ways to support the country’s critical services like hospitals, schools and utilities.”
“We cannot let the Afghan people become casualties of the world’s inaction,” it continues. “As winter sets in, tens of millions of lives hang in the balance. Global leaders must do the right thing — before it’s too late.”
Comments
United Statesians should really read more, pay more attention to the rest of the world by being less parochial and then take a long hard look at their disgustingly corrupt and idiotic governments, (past and present)
The vast majority of worldwide unrest and terrorism can be laid squarely at the feet of the US government.
most united statesians don't know for example that it was their own CIA who created, trained, armed and enriched the Taliban in the 70's. it's why russia invaded in 1980. To stop the guerrilla warfare tactics being used.
Roll on 40 years and the splinter groups, al qaeda, isis, etc are a direct result of the US who continue to fund, arm and train these terrorist groups. Russia single-handedly ousted isis from Syria, while the US were providing them with Hellfire missiles which were originally destined for Poroshenko in Ukraine.
As for the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Taliban made a deal with the US to gain power, the same US who are having a war on terror.
The same US who doesn't negotiate with terrorists, etc.
The us government does not care about the devastation it leaves in its wake.... AT ALL.
aside from keeping the opium poppy production going, and stealing the mineral wealth the people of the region are of no concern.
Well done PJ for shining a light but your scumbag government will do NOTHING.
And here in the UK the main issue of the day is whether BJ went to a fkin party after he told everyone to stay at home.
Afghanistan hasn't been mentioned on the news since the last brit hopped on the last plane out of there.
Good luck
Yes please!!