The Taliban has pledged to protect humanitarian aid workers operating in Afghanistan and ensure aid is delivered to Afghans in need, a senior United Nations official has said. At the request of the secretary-general, U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths visited the country where he met with the Taliban’s nominal leader, Mullah Baradar, and other officials of the regime in Kabul on Sept. 5. Griffiths spoke with Baradar and the leadership about humanitarian issues, and “reiterated the humanitarian community’s commitment to deliver impartial and independent humanitarian assistance and protection to millions of people in need.” The emergency relief coordinator also emphasized the critical role of women in the delivery of aid and called on all parties to ensure their rights, safety, and well-being. He also stressed concerns for the welfare of Afghan civilians, “especially women and girls and minorities,” and called for them to be protected at all times. According to a statement from Stéphane Dujarric, the U.N. secretary-general’s …