Wellingtin, Aug 20 (TIWN) New Zealand is providing NZ$3 million ($2 million) in humanitarian assistance to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said on Friday.

These organizations are providing life-saving humanitarian support for crisis affected communities in Afghanistan, and those seeking refuge in neighboring countries, Mahuta said in a statement.  "The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is dire, with millions in need of assistance and hundreds of thousands displaced by the recent conflict, 80 percent of whom are reported to be women and girls," said Mahuta.  In Afghanistan the ICRC is currently focusing on protection of civilians and provision of essential services including emergency health care, water and sanitation, she said, adding the United Nations refugee agency is providing a range of protection and assistance support to internally displaced Afghans. It is also supporting Afghan refugees in neighboring countries.  New Zealand calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect aid workers and civilians from harm, and support the right to freedom of movement, Mahuta said.