GENEVA, Switzerland, March 31 (UPI) -- Intense conflicts along the Afghan border with Pakistan are complicating relief efforts in the volatile region, Red Cross officials said.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said it was increasing its operations on both sides of the border in an effort to address the declining humanitarian situation.
"In both Afghanistan and Pakistan, it is expected that the political and military dynamics of the conflict will further endanger the lives and livelihood of civilians in the short term," said Jacques de Maio, ICRC's South Asia director.
The ICRC said it had doubled its budget for Pakistani aid to roughly $46 million and delivered more than 40,000 assistance packages to civilians there.
De Maio issued calls for assistance from the international community as world leaders gathered at The Hague, Netherlands, to discuss a coordinated effort for Afghanistan and complications from Pakistan.
"Their safety and welfare will depend on enhanced respect for international humanitarian law, including for provisions protecting detainees, and on a stronger neutral and independent humanitarian response,'' he said, referring to civilians in both countries.
