Afghanistan's Crisis Deepens: Drought Threatens Water Supply, Taliban's Policies Hurt Women and Economy
Afghanistan's economy is in dire straits, with growth trailing population increases and 75% of Afghans living at subsistence level. The Taliban's policies towards women and girls have been widely condemned as 'gender apartheid', further exacerbating the crisis. International funding for humanitarian aid has been slashed by nearly half this year.
The United Nations (UN) has stepped in, providing nearly $13 billion in aid since 2021. However, a new drought threatens the majority-rural population, many of whom are subsistence farmers. This could lead to Kabul becoming the first modern city to run out of water within years. The humanitarian, economic, and human rights situation has deteriorated significantly since the Taliban takeover in 2021.
A survey by UN Women reveals that most Afghans oppose the Taliban's bans on women's education and work. Yet, schools for girls above grade six have been closed for four years, costing the economy an estimated $1.4 billion annually. The UN's outgoing envoy describes the situation as a 'perfect storm' of overlapping crises. A generation of Afghan girls is at risk of being lost due to these policies, with long-term costs to the country.
The European Union (EU) has provided humanitarian aid, including 61 million euros for people in Afghanistan and refugees in Pakistan. Despite this, the situation remains dire. The international community must address the humanitarian crisis and pressure the Taliban to reverse its policies towards Afghan women and girls.
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