AhlulBayt News Agency: On the second day of Eid al-Adha, Kabul residents struggling with poverty and unemployment took to the streets searching for work, voicing concerns about their worsening economic conditions.
Many called on the caretaker government to create job opportunities and provide meaningful support for struggling families. Among them were two brothers, Hamid and Samirgul, who waited with their handcarts, hoping to find work.
Hamid, only 16, expressed his despair, saying, “Others are celebrating Eid with their families, but we have to work. Poverty is hard. Since morning, we have only earned 100 Afghanis.” His brother, Samirgul, pleaded for job opportunities, emphasizing the daily struggle they face.
Other residents shared similar hardships. Chaman, another worker, lamented that he would return home empty-handed, while Amruddin pointed out that 30 Afghanis were insufficient to cover basic needs like food or rent.
The economic situation has worsened following cuts in US aid and decreased support from relief organizations. Complaints about unemployment and poverty have increased daily.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the World Food Program (WFP) have repeatedly warned about the growing humanitarian crisis. OCHA reported that nearly 22.9 million Afghans will need aid in 2025, with 3.5 million children under five and 1.1 million women requiring urgent nutritional support. Budget shortages have led to the closure of 298 nutrition centers and 420 health facilities, severely limiting access to essential services.
Additionally, climate-related issues like drought have compounded the crisis, turning Afghanistan’s situation into an emergency. The WFP warned that 9.5 million people will require urgent food aid between May and October 2025, with 1.6 million in emergency conditions and 7.93 million facing severe crisis levels. Without international intervention, up to 15 million people could face extreme hunger.
Abdul Rahman Habib, a Ministry of Economy spokesperson, urged donors to provide aid based on humanitarian principles rather than political motives.
Reports indicate that increasing unemployment, rising household debts, and downsizing government offices have destabilized Afghanistan’s economic situation further.
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