Thank you very much, Chair.
I would say that before that agreement was signed and before the Taliban swept through the country and took over, the humanitarian situation was already very dire. There was the worst drought in 30 years; there was intense conflict, and, particularly in the year preceding the takeover in August, there were unprecedented levels of displacement, and hardship was rising. From early 2021 we were highlighting rising humanitarian needs. With Canada, with whom we have regular dialogue and regular contact across all levels, in the capital, but certainly also in Afghanistan, we were in constant contact about our concern about that humanitarian situation. What I think no one foresaw, however, was the precipitous takeover of the country by the Taliban, and I think that generated and created an immensely complex both political and humanitarian situation.
Thank you.