KABUL: CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere, formerly Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe) is a major international humanitarian agency delivering emergency relief and long-term international development projects.
In a recent report, CARE has unveiled troubling statistics about the economic landscape in Afghanistan, highlighting the dire financial circumstances that a significant portion of the population is facing. The report underscores a concerning decline in monthly incomes for the majority of Afghans, painting a grim picture of the economic hardships that have gripped the nation.
CARE’s findings are based on a survey conducted across nine provinces, where 381 respondents were questioned about their monthly incomes. The results revealed a stark reality, with a staggering 78% of those surveyed reporting a decrease in their monthly earnings. Further, a substantial 73% of respondents indicated that their monthly income barely exceeded 5,000 Afghanis, equivalent to approximately $59 USD.
The figures shed light on the severe economic challenges faced by ordinary Afghans, raising questions about the sustainability of livelihoods in the country. Many Kabul residents have voiced their concerns, calling upon the Islamic Emirate to take immediate action to address the economic crisis.
One resident, Yasser, who works in the capital city, expressed his frustration, revealing that he earns less than 6,000 Afghanis per month. He emphasized that this income is woefully insufficient to meet the basic needs of his family, further highlighting the profound economic distress experienced by Afghan households.
“The people of Afghanistan are currently living below the poverty line. There is unemployment. Relief organizations and foreign organizations should help the people of Afghanistan, and the people need help in this difficult situation because there is a lot of unemployment,” said Yasser, a Kabul resident.
Another resident, Omidullah, echoed these concerns, stating, “In these two years since the Islamic Emirate came to Afghanistan, unemployment has increased, the economy has become very bad, and the condition of the people is also bad.”
Amid these distressing developments, the Ministry of Economy has outlined its plans to revitalize the country’s economic landscape. The ministry has reported that the per capita income of Afghanistan’s citizens is estimated to be 37,418 Afghanis. Officials attribute this to economic growth, increased gross production, and enhanced employment opportunities, all of which are seen as key drivers of regional economic progress.
Abdul Rahman Habibi, the spokesman for the Ministry of Economy, stated, Currently, the per capita income is approximately 37,418 Afghanis due to economic growth, the increase in gross production, and the opportunity for work – these are the main drivers of the regional connection. In the field of infrastructure projects, domestic and foreign investments, and support for domestic production, are in the plans of the ministry.
However, it is worth noting that earlier reports from the International Organization for Migration painted a grimmer picture, stating that a staggering 70% of Afghan citizens currently live below the poverty line.
