Afghanistan’s Humanitarian needs outpace aid: OCHA

KABUL (TOLONews): The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported in a recent update that three years on since the Islamic Emirate takeover, 23.7 million people, including 9.2 million children, remain in need of humanitarian assistance.

The report emphasizes that the need for humanitarian assistance continues to grow, while the provision of aid faces numerous challenges. OCHA stated in the report that for the current year, it has requested $3.1 billion for humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. However, only $1.15 billion of this amount has been secured so far.

The report also highlights major issues that complicate addressing the consequences of four decades of war. These include high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition, natural disasters, climate change, unexploded ordnance from past wars, and restrictions on humanitarian aid. “If aid organizations cooperate with the people and government of Afghanistan under the current circumstances, it will have two benefits: first, it will facilitate access to the people, and second, it can contribute to the country’s economic growth,” said Shams-Ur-Rahman Ahmadzai, an economic analyst.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Economy has emphasized the continuation of international community support and says the Islamic Emirate is working to promote economic growth and reduce poverty through strengthening infrastructure projects. “Alongside global humanitarian aid, the Islamic Emirate is striving to bolster infrastructure and job-creation projects to pave the way for Afghanistan to achieve self-sufficiency,” said Abdul Latif Nazari, the Deputy Minister of Economy.

“Infrastructure projects should focus on agriculture, healthcare, education, transportation, and energy sectors to create positive impacts on employment and improve people’s quality of life,” said Qutbuddin Yaqubi, another economic affairs expert. Previously, the World Food Programme reported a slight improvement in food security in Afghanistan, but the need for food assistance remains exceptionally high.