A/RES/53/203 A-B Page 6 Expressing its grave concern about the continuation of the military confrontation in Afghanistan, threatening regional peace and security and causing massive loss of life and extensive human suffering, further destruction of property, serious damage to the economic and social infrastructure, refugee flows and other forcible displacements of large numbers of people, Deeply disturbed by insufficient security conditions for United Nations personnel and other humanitarian personnel and by various restrictions of access imposed on them, Deeply disturbed also by the closure of the Kabul offices of international non-governmental organizations, the expulsion of foreign workers and the arrest of local personnel, which have caused the non-governmental organizations to curtail their much-needed help to the civilian population of Kabul, Remaining deeply concerned about the problem of millions of anti-personnel landmines and unexploded ordnance as well as the continued laying of new landmines in Afghanistan, which continue to prevent many Afghan refugees and internally displaced persons from returning to their villages and working in their fields, Expressing its grave concern at the grave violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law in Afghanistan and at the inadequacy of measures taken by the warring factions to reverse the situation, Deeply concerned by the continuing and substantiated reports of violations of human rights, in particular of women and girls, including all forms of discrimination against them, and welcoming the decision of the United Nations to appoint gender and human rights advisers as an integral part of the office of the United Nations resident and humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan, Noting with deep concern the adverse effects of human rights violations on international relief and reconstruction programmes in Afghanistan as well as refugee repatriation programmes, Expressing its grave concern for the well-being of internally displaced persons and the civilian population of Afghanistan without shelter, who face a long winter possibly deprived of basic foods, owing, inter alia, to the looting of United Nations premises and food supplies and to the denial by the warring factions of adequate conditions for the delivery of aid by humanitarian organizations, Distressed by the loss of life caused by earthquakes and floods, and expressing its appreciation to all States, international agencies and non-governmental organizations that provided emergency relief, Affirming the urgent need to continue, if conditions permit, international humanitarian assistance and action to assist Afghanistan in restoring basic services, Welcoming the principle-centred approach towards humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation in Afghanistan as outlined in the Strategic Framework and in the document entitled “Next Steps for the United Nations in Afghanistan”, and the common programming mechanisms introduced by the United Nations, Expressing its gratitude to all Governments that have rendered assistance to Afghan refugees, in particular the Governments of Pakistan and of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and recognizing the need for /...