One humanitarian crisis is no more important than another. Yet the tragedy of Ukraine risks diverting international attention, worsening the plight of hundreds of millions facing adversity elsewhere. Afghanistan is especially vulnerable, the United States and other Western governments involved in an ill-fated two-decade occupation having frozen the assets of the returned Taliban government, leaving it all but unable to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, starvation and malnutrition. With the United Nations calling for an unprecedented US$4.4 billion in aid, China is helping keep interest alive, taking a leading role in seeking ways to alleviate suffering and ensure stability and development. Two days of meetings in Tunxi in Anhui province this week brought together representatives of neighbouring countries and nations with a vested interest in Afghanistan’s recovery. The interim Afghan government’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, took part in a conference hosted by State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi along with officials from Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and the US, with guests from Indonesia and Qatar. China’s special envoy to Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, also met counterparts from Pakistan, Russia and the US for the latest round of “Troika plus” talks. There is every reason for sustained attention. With Afghanistan’s health system crumbling and economy in free fall, diseases such as the coronavirus and measles are rampant and the UN estimates almost 60 per cent of its 40 million people face acute food insecurity and millions of children are malnourished. The Taliban lacks the resources to cope, and support from international agencies has either slowed or stopped. Beijing has donated millions of Covid-19 vaccines, but only about 11 per cent of people are inoculated. China hints at recognising Taliban government ‘when conditions are ripe’ China has been in the forefront of mediation efforts since the US-led military withdrawal last August and collapse of the government, leading to the return to power of the Islamist Taliban. In 2001, under the guise of hunting down the perpetrators of the September 11 attacks, American forces had invaded and overthrown the Taliban, which had long been criticised by the West for alleged rights violations, particularly against women. Mistrust is behind the refusal by Washington and its allies to recognise the government and unlock almost US$9 billion held by foreign banks. Afghanistan’s location at the heart of Central Asia has implications for regional and even global security. Proximity means China has every reason to take an interest in its development. But the international community must also work to ensure the government’s stability and the health and well-being of Afghans.