Photo: FAO in Afghanistan

FAO Creates Jobs for Over 272,000 in Afghanistan Amid Economic Crisis

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has announced the creation of short-term job opportunities for 272,600 individuals in Afghanistan since the beginning of 2023.

In a statement released on Sunday, October 20, the FAO highlighted that these jobs were part of the “Cash for Work” initiative, which aims to provide families with income to secure food while simultaneously improving irrigation systems and protecting agricultural land.

“Since 2023, FAO has provided short-term jobs to 272,600 Afghans through Cash-for-Work, helping families secure food while improving irrigation and protecting farmland,” the FAO stated. “The right to adequate food is a fundamental human right for everyone.”

While the organization did not specify which provinces benefited from these job opportunities, this development comes against the backdrop of rising unemployment rates in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover. Many citizens have voiced concerns about the lack of job opportunities, exacerbating the ongoing economic, humanitarian, and human rights crises in the country.

The World Bank has expressed concerns about economic uncertainty in Afghanistan, noting a continued contraction across all sectors since the political upheaval in August 2021.

Melinda Good, World Bank Country Director for Afghanistan, emphasized that the economy is fragile and heavily dependent on foreign support, with a weak private sector. “To recover, the country needs to prioritize spending on human capital, basic services, and climate resilience, and address harmful gender policies,” she stated.

The World Bank’s analysis also challenges the Taliban’s attempts to present a more positive economic outlook. While Taliban authorities have cited a decline in inflation as evidence of their effective policies, the World Bank attributes this deflation, observed since April 2023, to weak aggregate demand and improved supply conditions, rather than any specific actions taken by the Taliban.

Amidst these challenges, Afghanistan has emerged as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with its collapsed economy severely limiting access to basic needs. The United Nations reports that over 12 million children—out of a total population of nearly 24 million—require urgent humanitarian aid this year.