According to the World Health Organization (WHO), unemployment in Afghanistan has more than doubled since the radical Islamic Taliban came to power three years ago. Half the population lives in poverty.
In a report published on Thursday on the past year, WHO also highlighted the continuing humanitarian need, with nearly a third of the population facing food crises, some 13 million people.
8 out of 10 people have less than a dollar a day
According to the data, the economic impact was most noticeable in 2021, immediately after the takeover, with a decline of just over 20 percent. The following year, the economy shrank by only about six percent. However, according to the WHO, poverty still affects half the population, with 80 percent of households living on less than one dollar per household member.
On Wednesday, the head of the UN Assistance Mission (UNAMA), Rosa Otunbayeva, also pointed to the precarious humanitarian situation in a speech to the UN Security Council. According to her, only 30 percent of the aid funds for 2024 have been secured. More than two billion dollars (1.8 billion euros) were missing from support. Unlike 2023, there are “no remaining funds to fall back on,” Otunbayeva said.
The Taliban seized power again in August 2021 after nearly two decades of Western military presence. Following the September 11 attacks by al-Qaeda, a US-led military invasion in 2001 toppled the Taliban in Afghanistan. The then-leadership had provided shelter to the terrorist group and the mastermind behind the attacks, Osama bin Laden.
The Taliban leadership is internationally isolated
Even today, the rulers in Kabul are largely isolated internationally. One reason is their repressive government. So far, no country in the world has officially recognized the Islamist government. The group is isolated internationally, mainly because of its disdain for human rights, especially women’s rights.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
