World Bank: Unemployment and hunger have increased in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power

Washington (ST): A World Bank survey showed the number of people unable to afford food and other costs, unemployment and low wages in Afghanistan, has doubled since the Taliban took power last August.

The survey, which was conducted between October and last December and was reported by Reuters, revealed that “70 percent of respondents said that their families are unable to afford basic food and non-food needs, up from 35 percent in May last year.”

The survey found that the proportion of Afghan families switching to low-quality or less expensive food increased from 56 percent to 85 percent in July and August, and nearly half of families reported a decrease in the number of meals consumed per day, up from about a quarter in the same period.

Donors and financial aid, which covers more than 70 percent of government expenditures, have been suspended, and nearly $9 billion in assets of the Afghan Central Bank have been frozen.

K.Q.