The United Nations calls it the world’s worst current humanitarian crisis. The brutal central Asian winter is bearing down on Afghanistan and millions of innocent people are in urgent need of help.

This is an opportune time to stop the military assault so aid can be properly distributed. The United Nations is considering submitting a recommendation for a temporary cease-fire to the United States.

According to CNN, major aid agencies are also pleading for a temporary halt in the military action so food supplies can be brought in before winter comes. The flow of aid was stopped shortly after the attacks of Sept. 11 when it became clear to the relief agencies working in Afghanistan that a military response would take place. Those organizations pulled their aid workers out of the country.

According to a letter sent to the U.S. government by Oxfam International, Christian Aid, Action Aid and Islamic Relief, two million Afghans need supplies to survive the winter.

In addition, half a million people could die if aid does not reach them by mid-November because of the oncoming road-blocking snows.

That aid cannot reach those in need without a break in military action. The letter from the agencies said we need to “pause all military action in order to give the World Food Programme and others the greatest chance to deliver the maximum food before winter makes some areas inaccessible.”

The United States has reached a point with the air war and the military has said that a ground war is imminent. The time is ripe for a pause in the attacks to get the food in.

CNN reports that the U.S. Agency for International Development hopes to have about 55,000 tons of food per month. Also, the United States will send 65,000 tons in the next few weeks. In November and December an additional 100,000 tons of food is expected.

However, that aid cannot be distributed to those most in need without the proper means to do so, and that requires a temporary cease-fire.

There are also other important considerations.

In addition to the upcoming winter, the Muslim holiday month of Ramadan begins in mid-November. The holiday is based on the Islamic lunar calendar and is estimated to begin Nov. 15.

It is critical that the United States is respectful of this holiday. Bombing during the most important Muslim holiday will send the wrong message to the 1.2 billion Muslims all over the world, including millions of Americans. Creating a generation of insulted Muslims is not a wise decision.

It is a desperate and rapidly worsening situation for Afghans in need. Winter approaches and the aid must arrive soon. If we are to hope for greater security and improved relations, it is essential that we do everything possible to help those in need. In order to do so the bombing needs to stop for now.

editorialboard: Andrea Hauser, Tim Paluch, Michelle Kann, Zach Calef, Omar Tesdell