October 17th is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, and residents of Kabul said poverty is causing them severe challenges.
On a street corner of Kabul, Malalai lives with her four children and she lost her husband last year. She said that after the death of her husband she faced economic challenges.
“I have lots of problems, there is no job, winter is coming, I don’t have funds for winter,” said Malalai, a needy woman.
The Ministry of Economic said that drought, restrictions on the banking system, freezing the country’s assets and the lack of economic infrastructure are the reasons for increasing poverty in the country.
In addition, they said that for progress economically they have prepared to modernize agriculture and the growth of industry.
“Drought, restrictions on the banking system, closing the country’s assets and lack of economic infrastructure are causes of poverty in Afghanistan,” said Abdul Rahman Habib, a spokesman for the MoE.
“Poverty is increasing in cities and villages, especially in the last year poverty in Afghanistan is mainly concentrated in rural areas,” said Seyar Quraishi, political analyst.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations said in a tweet that COVID-19 is a big reason for poverty in the world.
“Inequalities of opportunities & income are sharply on the rise, with millions plunged into poverty due to COVID19,” said Secretary-General of the UN.
Earlier, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and WFP said in a report that by November of this year, nearly six million people in Afghanistan will be in an emergency situation due to starvation.
Meanwhile, as the level of the poverty and unemployment rises across the country, the number of beggars is growing every day in the capital city of Kabul.
Some beggars in Kabul told TOLOnews that they are willing to cease begging if the Islamic Emirate provides them with employment with which they can earn a living.
“It would be a good decision if the poor people and handicapped could get access to a salary,” said a beggar on a Kabul street.
“I do not have money, I do not have a home, I am living under a tent right now,” said a woman.
Meanwhile, the residents of the capital expressed concerns over the increasing numbers of beggars in the city.
“The number of beggars has climbed. Many Kabul residents are begging now,” said a Kabul resident.
The Islamic Emirate officials said they have plans to reduce the begging.
“It would important that real beggars are recognized and a plan is prepared for beggars in order for them to stop and find a salary,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs added that it is investigating a plan to address begging.—Tolonews
