KABUL: Afghanistan is grappling with an escalating humanitarian crisis as over 29 million of its citizens are in dire need of essential assistance following the Taliban’s takeover of the country in August 2021. The dire situation has left millions of Afghans struggling to access vital services, including healthcare, education, and employment.
The country’s healthcare system is under immense strain, especially in rural areas, due to a lack of skilled medical personnel, essential equipment, electricity, and clean water. The existing health infrastructure falls short of meeting the overwhelming demand, requiring more resources than are currently available.
According to recent reports from UNICEF, more than 15 million people in Afghanistan are at risk of food insecurity until at least October 2023, with a staggering 29.2 million individuals in need of urgent humanitarian aid. The dissolution of the previous government resulted in the suspension of direct international development assistance, which used to account for 75% of state expenditure, including vital services like healthcare.
The crisis has hit vulnerable groups, particularly women, the hardest. Pregnant women in rural areas face significant challenges due to the lack of safe transportation and limited obstetric care services. The ban on Afghan women working for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the United Nations (UN) has further exacerbated the risks faced by women and children.
The Taliban’s prohibition of approximately 12,000 beauty salons has resulted in the unemployment of more than 60,000 women, isolating them further and compounding the challenges faced by girls and women across the nation. The combination of high unemployment rates and soaring commodity prices has increased average household debt, straining the ability of families to meet their basic daily needs and hampering the country’s economic recovery.
Economic Woes of Afghanistan
Afghanistan has witnessed a severe economic decline over the past two years, resulting in a surge in poverty and a lack of essential services. The situation has become dire, with alarming statistics indicating that one in every two Afghans cannot afford necessary medicines for treatment, and one in every five has lost a family member. Moreover, 5 out of 10 Afghans have been forced to sacrifice food and clothing to afford healthcare, and 9 out of 10 have resorted to borrowing money to cover medical expenses.
The crisis extends to emergency services, with a lack of available ambulances to respond to urgent situations. Approximately 17 million people are facing acute hunger, including 6 million at emergency levels of food insecurity, leaving them just one step away from famine.
The dire circumstances facing Afghanistan highlight the urgent need for significant investments in water infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and alternative livelihoods. Gender policy reforms are also crucial to empower women and reduce reliance on external humanitarian support.
