KABUL (SW) – Amid concerns from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) about the insufficient budget obtained for addressing the humanitarian needs in the country in 2024, some of the needy in different provinces say that the improvement of their lives depends on global assistance.
Setara, a resident of Ghor who is the sole breadwinner for her four-member family, says that if the aid from humanitarian organizations is cut off, she and her family will remain hungry.
Setara added, “My husband has been killed and I am left alone with four children. I wash clothes and collect bread from some houses. We do not have flour, oil, and rice. The aid we received has also run out, and now we need help again.”
Hamidullah, a resident of Ghazni, also says, “We are eight people in family; our house rent is 1500 Afghanis, while I only earn 200 Afghanis. Our economic situation is dire, and we need help.”
Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA) in its latest report stated that out of the $3.6 billion requested for assistance to the needy in Afghanistan, only 6% has been paid by the international community.
OCHA has voiced concern about the significant gap between existing needs and the budget provided, and considers it a major obstacle to providing humanitarian aid to the needy in Afghanistan.
Part of the report states: “Only $290 million out of the required $3.06 billion has been provided. Such a significant gap between existing needs and the budget provided will severely hinder the provision of vital assistance. The humanitarian coordinator calls on the international community to double its financial support to meet the commitment to the people of Afghanistan.”
Some economic experts say that the UNAMA office in Afghanistan and the Islamic Emirate must work together to continue assistance to the Afghan citizens.
Abuzar Afzali, an economic expert, says, “Afghanistan’s current stability is depended on global assistance. Cutting off aid can have negative consequences and increases the number of needy. A bilateral agreement should be reached between UNAMA and Afghanistan.”
The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly stated that it is trying to reduce the need for international assistance using domestic resources.
