KABUL (SW) – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that in 2024, approximately half of Afghanistan’s population will require humanitarian aid.
As per the OCHA report, about 23 million people in Afghanistan will require humanitarian assistance this year.
OCHA reports that half of Afghanistan’s population is grappling with poverty, with a significant majority being women.
Meanwhile, a number of residents of Kabul city express grievances about the absence of assistance and employment opportunities.
Shah-Wali, a resident of Kabul, spends each day sitting in a corner of the capital, hoping someone will offer him work. Unfortunately, he shares that on most days, he returns home empty-handed. “I have not received any aid yet.”
Hamid, another resident of Kabul, says that he has been without work for several days. He appeals to the de-facto government to create job opportunities for individuals like him.
“We desire that a working opportunity be provided for us. Even when the aid comes, it is not distributed to the deserving people,” he added.
Meanwhile, officials at the Ministry of Economy say that they have a range of programs aimed at reducing poverty levels and creating employment opportunities in Afghanistan.
Abdul-Rahman Habib, the spokesperson for the ministry, says: “The concentration and coherence of national policies and programs in various sectors that lead to the creation of job opportunities, reducing the level of poverty and sustainable economic stability, is the focus of the Ministry of Economy’s attention. Also, investing in light infrastructure, developing small and medium industries, supporting the agriculture, horticulture, and livestock sectors to increase domestic production, and technical and professional training are among the short-term goals of this ministry to create job opportunities and gradually reduce the level of poverty.”
Shabir-Ahmad Bashiri, an economic analyst attributes the rise in poverty in the country to climate changes, droughts, and devastating floods.
According to the United Nations report, over 29 million people in Afghanistan required humanitarian aid in 2023. However, in 2024, approximately 23 million people are expected to need humanitarian assistance.
