Poverty, Unemployment Remain Fundamental Concerns in Afghanistan

According to the report, 3.6 million people in Afghanistan faced severe food insecurity last year.

Poverty and unemployment are fundamental issues in Afghanistan that are consistently raised by both citizens and the international community.

Some residents of Kabul describe poverty and joblessness as their current economic challenges and call on authorities to create employment opportunities.

Sayed Jamal, a resident of Kabul, said: “Our request of the Islamic Emirate government is to provide job opportunities so that people can overcome their economic difficulties and earn a lawful living for their families.”

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) stated in a report that Afghanistan ranked among the nine countries with the highest levels of food insecurity globally in the past year, second only to Sudan.

According to the report, 3.6 million people in Afghanistan faced severe food insecurity last year.

Abdul Nasir Rashtia, an economic analyst, said: “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan needs to implement a series of strategic programs and plans to eliminate poverty and unemployment. For example, by collecting national revenues, they could initiate developmental and infrastructure projects that would create job opportunities and provide people with a steady income.”

However, according to the Ministry of Economy, climate change and economic restrictions have negatively affected family life and the economy in Afghanistan, and improving the situation requires joint cooperation between the global community and the caretaker government.

Abdul Rahman Habib, spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy, said: “Currently, we are prioritizing support for agriculture and livestock sectors, boosting domestic production, reducing dependence on imports, and focusing on water management and infrastructure projects, so that we can strengthen the internal economy and fundamentally resolve food insecurity nationwide.”

Previously, the World Food Programme announced that 3 million people in Afghanistan would need life-saving food assistance in the upcoming summer. However, due to a lack of funding, it can only assist 1 million people to prevent catastrophic hunger.

Poverty, Unemployment Remain Fundamental Concerns in Afghanistan
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Race Against Time: Kabul’s Groundwater May Run Dry by 2030

Groundwater can be recharged, but more is drawn each year than is replenished in Kabul, with an estimated annual 76-million-cubic-meter deficit, experts say.

The Japan Times, in a report titled “Afghan capital losing race against water shortages,” stated that the situation in Kabul is clearly deteriorating.

The report, citing information and perspectives from several experts, mentioned that if no action is taken regarding Kabul’s groundwater, there will be no groundwater left in Kabul by 2030. It said that population growth has outstripped urban planning, and climate change drives below-average precipitation.

Referring to an international organization’s report, Japan Times notes that up to 80% of Kabul’s groundwater is contaminated and more than 100,000 unregulated wells extract water in the city, which are frequently drilled deeper.

Groundwater can be recharged, but more is drawn each year than is replenished in Kabul, with an estimated annual 76-million-cubic-meter deficit, experts say, according to the report.

The report also refers to the Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Energy and Water’s plan to transfer water from the Panjshir River, stating that the project requires a budget of $300 to $400 million.

Race Against Time: Kabul’s Groundwater May Run Dry by 2030
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UNHCR Warns of Humanitarian Crisis Amid Mass Deportation of Afghan Migrants

He also warned of the negative consequences stemming from the sharp reduction in international assistance to deported migrants.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has voiced concern over the large-scale expulsion of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries at a time when humanitarian aid is drastically declining.

The UNHCR representative in Afghanistan Arafat Jamal highlighted that 380,000 Afghan migrants have been deported from neighboring countries just in the current year, stressing that Afghanistan is not prepared to accommodate such numbers.

He said: ” Three million Afghans have returned from neighboring countries since September 2023. This year alone, 380,000 have returned. They repatriate to a nation and a people that is welcoming them home, yet they return to a homeland that is dramatically unprepared to receive them. These past few months, I have traveled to all the main frontier crossings between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq. I have witnessed a host nation that is embracing its long-exiled brethren, taking care of them, feeding them, and sheltering them.”

He also warned of the negative consequences stemming from the sharp reduction in international assistance to deported migrants.

According to the UN official, this situation could push Afghanistan into yet another crisis.

“Every dollar subtracted reduces a person’s ability to rebound. With the funding reductions, our current assistance package can be considered to be purely humanitarian, absolutely vital, but short-term and non-transformational. It can help someone to survive, but not to thrive. Even more starkly, perhaps, the budget cuts inhibit our ability to help those who take great personal risks to help the women of Afghanistan. Because against the odds, there are many, many people in this beautiful country who believe in their community and who strive to create conditions for women to get education, to work, or even simply to relax in a park with their companions,” Arafat Jamal added.

While the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation speaks of its plans to address the challenges of deported migrants, it also emphasizes the importance of continued international support.

Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, spokesman for the Ministry, stated: “The Islamic Emirate is fully prepared for the return of migrants and has programs in place to meet their essential needs, including shelter and education. Partner countries and international humanitarian organizations should cooperate with the Islamic Emirate in implementing these programs.”

Mohammad Reza, an Afghan migrant in Pakistan, said: “House searches happen daily, many children are taken away, and even women without male guardians or heads of household are not spared, they are also taken to camps.”

Concerns over the consequences of slashed international aid for deported Afghan migrants continue to mount, as forced deportations from Pakistan and Iran remain ongoing at an intense pace.

UNHCR Warns of Humanitarian Crisis Amid Mass Deportation of Afghan Migrants
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Rubio: ‘Taliban’ Status ‘Under Review’ by Trump Administration

He emphasized that this decision would be made based on the future approach of the United States toward Afghanistan’s caretaker government.

Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, asked in a hearing if the “Taliban” were considered a foreign terrorist group, stated Washington is reviewing the status of the “Taliban.”

He emphasized that this decision would be made based on the future approach of the United States toward Afghanistan’s caretaker government.

Rubio said: “I believe that classification is now once again under review. As you know, we’ve had some success over the last few weeks in getting some Americans that were detained released, but we’ll have some decisions to make. That designation ultimately will be based on a holistic approach to what we think our future policy is going to be with regards to Afghanistan.”

The approach of Donald Trump regarding an agreement with the caretaker government on counter-terrorism was another topic Rubio referred to before US lawmakers.

He also attributed the absence of American diplomats in Kabul to security concerns and added that Donald Trump is closely following the situation in Afghanistan.

Rubio said: “The president is keenly aware of the situation there. He was very involved in negotiating in his first presidency for a deal that kept Americans safe and I think he’s interested in arriving at one again to ensure Afghanistan never becomes a launchpad for external, external operations against Americans anywhere in the world, especially the homeland.”

In response to these remarks, the caretaker government of Afghanistan has not yet commented. However, previously the acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi emphasized the need for the US to understand Afghanistan’s current realities and engage with Kabul.

“Confrontation is not a solution; we have seen the confrontation with the US and also with Russia. It is in the interest of both parties to abandon confrontations,” said Gulmuhammaduddin Mohammadi, a political analyst.

Despite the visit of the US delegation to Kabul and the exchange of prisoners between the two sides—which raised optimism about improving relations—no progress has been achieved so far.

Rubio: ‘Taliban’ Status ‘Under Review’ by Trump Administration
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US Secretary of State: Afghan Refugee transfers delayed, not canceled

By Fidel Rahmati

Secretary Marco Rubio confirmed that Afghan refugee transfers to the U.S. are delayed due to security checks, not canceled.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Tuesday, May 20, that the transfer of eligible Afghan individuals to the United States has not been canceled. During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, he stated that updates on the resettlement process would be shared soon. Rubio explained that the current delay is due to extensive background checks necessary to ensure national security and the integrity of the refugee program.

Rubio elaborated that authorities are still determining which Afghan individuals will be allowed entry into the U.S., based on detailed background investigations. He acknowledged that some of the existing vetting procedures had raised concerns and were now being reviewed. This reassessment aims to ensure a balanced approach that prioritizes both safety and the country’s humanitarian responsibilities.

The delays have had serious implications for nearly 1,660 Afghan refugees, including unaccompanied children and individuals at risk of Taliban retaliation due to their affiliations with the former U.S.-backed Afghan government. These individuals were previously cleared for relocation but have seen their flights canceled, leaving them in a state of uncertainty and vulnerability.

These disruptions were partly influenced by national security concerns, particularly following criminal incidents involving some Afghan evacuees. One such case involved an Afghan national who had entered the U.S. through the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program and was later arrested for planning a terrorist act. Such events have intensified scrutiny of the vetting process and led to calls for stricter background checks.

Lawmakers, including Senator Chuck Grassley, have criticized the Department of Homeland Security for what they view as inadequate screening of Afghan refugees during the chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan. Grassley has pressed the FBI for details on how they are addressing potential security threats and emphasized the need for greater transparency and accountability throughout the resettlement process.

The current situation highlights the delicate balance between fulfilling humanitarian commitments and ensuring national security. While it is essential to assist those who have supported U.S. missions abroad, the government must also guarantee that its vetting procedures are robust and trustworthy. Strengthening these processes will help rebuild confidence in the refugee program and safeguard American citizens.

US Secretary of State: Afghan Refugee transfers delayed, not canceled
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World Bank Reopens Kabul Office After Talks With Finance Ministry

Some experts said that other financial institutions should also be persuaded by the Islamic Emirate to resume their activities in Afghanistan.

Following negotiations between the Ministry of Finance and representatives of the World Bank, the organization’s office in Kabul has reopened.

The World Bank announced that it will begin repaying its debts to Afghan companies. According to an official statement, the bank owes $50 million to logistics and construction companies in Afghanistan. These payments will be made to the companies in three phases.

Ahmad Wali Haqmal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, said: “Based on figures verified by the World Bank, the institution owes approximately $50 million to logistics and construction companies in Afghanistan. These confirmed debts will be paid to the respective companies in four stages through the Ministry of Finance.”

The start of debt repayments by the World Bank could pave the way for the resumption of development projects, job creation, and economic growth in the country.

Some experts said that other financial institutions should also be persuaded by the Islamic Emirate to resume their activities in Afghanistan.

Mir Shakeeb Mir, an economic analyst, said: “The World Bank’s repayment of debts to companies that implemented projects during the Republic era, but were unable to receive their dues, is a highly positive step. This move could also play a major role in restoring donor confidence.”

Mir Shakir Yaqubi, another economic analyst, stated: “In the current situation, it is absolutely necessary for the Islamic Emirate to use every possible option to convince major international institutions to resume their projects in Afghanistan, as the country’s economic conditions, overall situation, and commercial needs require these offices to be active within the country.”

Following the political changes in August 2021, many international organizations, including the World Bank, suspended their financial operations and development projects in Afghanistan.

In recent months, with the initiation of consultations between the Ministry of Finance and representatives of the World Bank, hopes have risen for the revival of economic relations and the continuation of debt repayments.

World Bank Reopens Kabul Office After Talks With Finance Ministry
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AfghanEvac Urges US Congress to Prioritize Refugees in Budget Hearings

AfghanEvac urged Congress to place this issue at the top of its agenda during sessions attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

AfghanEvac, in an open letter to the US Congress, has called for the situation of Afghan refugees to be prioritized during this week’s budget hearings.

The letter states that over 212,000 individuals in Afghanistan and tens of thousands more in 75 countries, including Pakistan, are living in uncertain conditions.

AfghanEvac urged Congress to place this issue at the top of its agenda during sessions attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“This week’s hearings with Secretary of State Rubio present a critical moment for Congress to reaffirm its commitment to the tens of thousands of Afghan allies still awaiting resettlement and protection. With more than 212,000 individuals trapped in the pipeline inside Afghanistan and tens of thousands more stranded across 75 countries, the stakes for moral leadership, national security, and American credibility could not be higher,” the letter reads.

Mohammad Muslim Jamal, a migrant rights activist, said: “I believe they may relocate a limited number of individuals by October for their own interests. However, based on their internal laws and priorities, they might give refugees more time to remain in the US.”

Meanwhile, a number of Afghan immigration case holders currently in Pakistan are urging the US to honor its commitments and restart their resettlement process.

An applicant for US immigration said: “We hope that the upcoming US congressional hearings will finally address the concerns and long wait we’ve endured since the program was suspended, and that our cases will be processed soon so we can move forward.”

Mohammad Khan Mohammadzai, another migrant rights activist, said: “The situation of refugees in this country must be addressed in accordance with international and US domestic laws, so the hardships of migrants are reduced.”

This comes as Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20 to suspend the US refugee program. Now, 120 days later, the future of Afghan refugees remains uncertain.

AfghanEvac Urges US Congress to Prioritize Refugees in Budget Hearings
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Pentagon to Release Findings on US Withdrawal from Afghanistan

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking to Fox News, stated that those responsible for the withdrawal must be held accountable.

Amid ongoing criticism from current US officials over the handling of the American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, the US Department of Defense announced that findings from a special investigation team on the matter will be released soon.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking to Fox News, stated that those responsible for the withdrawal must be held accountable. He mentioned that the investigation may continue until 2026, but the ultimate goal is to ensure accountability and evaluate the consequences of the decisions made.

Pete Hegseth said: “We’re all over it in our office. In fact, we’ll have an announcement, I believe, tomorrow, if not later today, tomorrow or Wednesday, on the developments of our task force. We’re moving, we’re finding, we’re investigating.

It’s going to take a little bit of time because there’s a lot of things that need to be uncovered, classified aspects, interviews that need to be conducted. ”

Several political analysts said that investigating the US withdrawal from Afghanistan holds historical, political, and legal significance not only for the United States but also for the Afghan people.

They stress that this investigation could help bring transparency to future global decision-making on Afghanistan.

Jabar Akbari, a political affairs analyst, said: “The investigation must be realistic and consider the situation of the Afghan people. This is commendable and shows that countries with a diplomatic and political presence in Afghanistan act in the people’s best interest. Otherwise, if a country is only driven by self-interest and abandons the Afghan people when those interests are at risk, it will not serve the Afghan people well.”

Najib-ur-Rahman Shamal, another political analyst, said: “The major lesson from this historic mistake is that the US should avoid military invasions in Afghanistan. If it truly wishes to support the Afghan people and society, it should resume humanitarian aid, especially in sectors like agriculture, industry, and healthcare, where nearly half of Afghanistan’s clinics and hospitals are currently non-functional.”

The US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 was marked by chaos at Kabul airport, the collapse of the previous government, and the takeover by the Islamic Emirate, a process that sparked widespread backlash and intense criticism both inside and outside the United States.

Pentagon to Release Findings on US Withdrawal from Afghanistan
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In Virginia, a military stronghold becomes a haven for Afghan refugees

By TIFFANY STANLEY

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Kat Renfroe was at Mass when she saw a volunteer opportunity in the bulletin. Her Catholic parish was looking for tutors for Afghan youth, newly arrived in the United States.

There was a personal connection for Renfroe. Her husband, now retired from the Marine Corps, had deployed to Afghanistan four times. “He just never talked about any other region the way he did about the people there,” she said.

She signed up to volunteer. “It changed my life,” she said.

That was seven years ago. She and her husband are still close to the young man she tutored, along with his family. And Renfroe has made a career of working with refugees. She now supervises the Fredericksburg migration and refugee services office, part of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington.

That faith-based work is now in peril. As part of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, his administration banned most incoming refugees in January and froze federal funds for the programs. Across the country, local resettlement agencies like hers have been forced to lay off staff or close their doors. Refugees and other legal migrants have been left in limbo, including Afghans who supported the U.S. in their native country.

Situated south of Washington, D.C., and wedged among military bases, Fredericksburg and its surrounding counties are home to tens of thousands of veterans and active-duty personnel.

Virginia has resettled more Afghan refugees per capita than any other state. The Fredericksburg area now has halal markets, Afghan restaurants and school outreach programs for families who speak Dari and Pashto.

Many of these U.S.-based Afghans are still waiting for family members to join them — hopes that appear on indefinite hold. Families fear a new travel ban will emerge with Afghanistan on the list. A subset of Afghans already in the U.S. may soon face deportation as the Trump administration ends their temporary protected status.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced in April that it was ending its decades-old partnership with the federal government to resettle refugees. The move came after the Trump administration halted the program’s federal funding, which the bishops’ conference channels to local Catholic Charities.

The Fredericksburg Catholic Charities office has continued aiding current clients and operating with minimal layoffs thanks to its diocese’s support and state funds. But it’s unclear what the local agency’s future will be without federal funding or arriving refugees.

“I’ll just keep praying,” Renfroe said. “It’s all I can do from my end.”

Religious groups have long been at the heart of U.S. refugee resettlement work. Until the recent policy changes, seven out of the 10 national organizations that partnered with the U.S. government to resettle refugees were faith-based. They were aided by hundreds of local affiliates and religious congregations.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington has been working with refugees for 50 years, starting with Vietnamese people after the fall of Saigon. For the last 10 years, most of its clients have been Afghans, with an influx arriving in 2021 after the Taliban returned to power.

Area faith groups like Renfroe’s large church — St. Mary’s in Fredericksburg — have been key to helping Afghan newcomers get on their feet. Volunteers from local congregations furnish homes, provide meals and drive families to appointments.

“As a church, we care deeply. As Christians, we care deeply,” said Joi Rogers, who led the Afghan ministry at her Southern Baptist church. “As military, we also just have an obligation to them as people that committed to helping the U.S. in our mission over there.”

With Southern Baptist relief funds, Pillar Church hired Joi Rogers to work part time as a volunteer coordinator in the base’s makeshift refugee camp in 2021. She helped organize programming, including children’s activities. Her position was under the auspices of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which the government contracted to help run the camp.

For Pillar’s founding pastor, Colby Garman, the effort was an easy decision. “It was affecting so many of the lives of our families here who had served in Afghanistan.”

“We’ve been told to love God and love our neighbor,” Garman said. “I said to our people, this is an opportunity, a unique opportunity, for us to demonstrate love for our neighbor.”

Within five months, as the Afghans left the base for locations around the country, the support at the camp transitioned to the broader community. Pillar started hosting an English class. Church members visited locally resettled families and tried to keep track of their needs.

For one Pillar Church couple in nearby Stafford, Virginia, that meant opening their home to a teenager who had arrived alone in the U.S. after being separated from her family at the Kabul airport — a situation they heard about through the church.

Katlyn Williams and her husband Phil Williams, then an active-duty Marine, served as foster parents for Mahsa Zarabi, now 20, during her junior and senior years of high school. They introduced her to many American firsts: the beach, homecoming, learning to drive.

“The community was great,” Zarabi said. “They welcomed me very well.”

She attends college nearby; the Williamses visit her monthly. During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan this spring, they broke fast with her and her family, now safely in Virginia.

“She has and will always be part of our family,” Katlyn Williams said.

Her friend Joi Rogers, while careful not to speak for Pillar, said watching the recent dismantling of the federal refugee program has “been very hard for me personally.”

Veterans and members of the military tend to vote Republican. Most Southern Baptists are among Trump’s staunch white evangelical supporters. For those reasons, Pillar pastor Garman knows it may be surprising to some that his church network has been steadfast in supporting refugees.

“I totally understand that is the case, but I think that is a bias of just not knowing who we are and what we do,” Garman said after a recent Sunday service.

Later, sitting in the church office with his wife, Jake Rogers said, “We recognize that there are really faithful Christians that could lie on either side of the issue of refugee policy.”

“Regardless of your view on what our national stance should be on this,” he said, “we as Christ followers should have a heart for these people that reflects God’s heart for these people.”

Unity through faith and refugee work

Later that week, nearly two dozen Afghan women gathered around a table at the Fredericksburg refugee office, while children played with toys in the corner. The class topic was self-care, led by an Afghan staff member. Along the back wall waited dishes of rice and chicken, part of a celebratory potluck to mark the end of Ramadan.

Sitting at the front was Suraya Qaderi, the last client to arrive at the resettlement agency before the U.S. government suspended new arrivals.

She was in Qatar waiting to be cleared for a flight to the United States when the Trump administration started canceling approved travel plans for refugees. “I was one of the lucky last few,” said Qaderi, who was allowed to proceed.

She arrived in Virginia on Jan. 24, the day the administration sent stop-work orders to resettlement agencies.

Qaderi worked for the election commission in Afghanistan, and she received a special immigrant visa for her close ties to the U.S. government. She was a child when her father disappeared under the previous Taliban regime.

The return of the Taliban government was like “the end of the world,” she said. As a woman, she lost many of her rights, including her ability to work and leave home unaccompanied.

She studied Islamic law during her university years. She believes the Taliban’s interpretation of Islam is wrong on the rights of women. “Islam is not only for them,” she said.

The resettlement office includes not only Catholic staffers, but many Muslim employees and clients. “We find so much commonality between our faiths,” Renfroe said.

Her Catholic faith guides her work, and it’s sustaining her through the uncertainty of what the funding and policy changes will mean for her organization, which remains committed to helping refugees.

“I’m happy to go back to being a volunteer again if that’s what it takes,” Renfroe said.

Regardless of government contracts, she wants local refugee families to know that “that we’re still here, that we care about them and that we want to make sure that they have what they need.”

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Stanley is a reporter and editor on The Associated Press’ Global Religion team. She is based in Washington, D.C.

 

In Virginia, a military stronghold becomes a haven for Afghan refugees
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Only 1 million of 3 million needy Afghans will receive aid this summer, says WFP

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

A woman during beneficiary verification at a distribution site in Salang District, Parwan Province, 50 kilometers north of Kabul, where 600 families received cash to help their families cover their food needs. Winter in Afghanistan is unforgiving. With no work and no food, families face the impossible choice to heat their homes or feed their children. This winter (2024/2025), one-third of Afghanistan’s population—nearly 15 million people—will need emergency food assistance to survive.

The WFP has warned that only 1 million of the 3 million needy Afghans will receive aid this summer.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced on Sunday May 28 that nearly 3 million people in Afghanistan will require food assistance this summer. However, due to a severe funding shortfall, the WFP can only provide aid to 1 million individuals to prevent catastrophic hunger. This limitation underscores the escalating food insecurity affecting a significant portion of the Afghan population.

Previously, the WFP had requested $451 million to support the most vulnerable families in Afghanistan over the next six months. Despite this urgent appeal, the organization has only received a fraction of the necessary funds. As a result, the WFP has been forced to reduce its assistance programs, leaving millions without essential support.

The funding crisis has been exacerbated by a reduction in U.S. aid to Afghanistan. The Trump administration’s decision to pause foreign assistance has significantly impacted humanitarian efforts, including food aid. This policy shift has drawn criticism from global aid organizations, which warn of dire consequences for the Afghan population.

In addition to funding challenges, the WFP faces operational difficulties due to restrictions imposed by the Taliban. These limitations hinder the organization’s ability to deliver aid effectively, particularly to women and children, who are among the most vulnerable groups.

The humanitarian situation is further compounded by environmental factors. Afghanistan’s vulnerability to climate change has led to natural disasters such as droughts and floods, which have destroyed homes and agricultural land, exacerbating food insecurity.

The current funding shortfall and operational challenges have placed millions of Afghans at risk of severe hunger and malnutrition. Without immediate international support, the situation is expected to deteriorate further, with children and women being the most affected.

It is imperative that the international community increases its financial contributions and works collaboratively with humanitarian organizations to address the pressing needs of the Afghan population. Failure to act promptly could result in a humanitarian disaster of unprecedented scale.

Only 1 million of 3 million needy Afghans will receive aid this summer, says WFP
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