World Bank: Food Insecurity in Afghanistan at Its Worst in a Decade

The World Bank has announced that food insecurity in Afghanistan has worsened compared to a decade ago.

In its latest report titled Global Economic Prospects, the World Bank stated that while hunger has relatively decreased in several countries, it has increased in India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

The World Bank further added that the unemployment rate in Afghanistan remains high.

Mir Shakir Yaqubi, an expert on economic issues, said: “Until comprehensive and inclusive programs are considered for creating job opportunities, naturally, the unemployment rate will not decrease. And if it does not decrease, it is evident that the poverty rate will rise.”

Poverty, unemployment, and overall economic challenges in Afghanistan have always been issues that remain unresolved to this day.

Gulab, one of the many residents of Kabul, has been forced to work on the streets from morning until evening due to unemployment.

He describes his economic struggles as follows: “We work day and night here, earning 50, 60, 70, or 80 afghani, but with 70 or 80 afghani, nothing can be done.”

Abdul Basir, another resident of Kabul, said: “There are 12 people in our household, and only I work. God helps us, but we find nothing else. I am the only one working.”

On the other hand, the World Health Organization has requested $1.5 billion to assist 300 million people living in crisis zones from Gaza to Afghanistan.

However, the Ministry of Economy emphasized that the Islamic Emirate has adopted various programs to reduce poverty and unemployment rates.

Abdul Latif Nazari, deputy economy minister, said: “The causes of food insecurity and unemployment mentioned in the World Bank report are the closure of transportation routes during the winter season and seasonal unemployment. The Islamic Emirate has put important economic and job-creation programs on its agenda to reduce poverty and unemployment.”

The World Bank report on increasing food insecurity in Afghanistan comes as various United Nations agencies have previously expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. They have stated that, in the current year, more than half of the country’s population urgently needs humanitarian aid.