FARAH, Afghanistan — A man in the western province of Farah took his own life, reportedly driven by extreme poverty and economic distress, sources said Thursday.
The man, identified only as Agha Sahib, was originally from Ghazni province but had been living in Farah, sources said. He had long struggled with dire living conditions, and ultimately ended his life, the sources added.
His death comes amid growing warnings from international organizations over the deepening economic crisis in Afghanistan. In its latest report, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said the country’s ongoing political uncertainty, coupled with economic collapse, natural disasters and restrictions imposed by the Taliban, has severely affected livelihoods nationwide.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the poverty rate has surged, with millions of Afghans facing food insecurity and limited access to work. The Taliban have claimed in public statements that their governance has brought “economic stability” to the country. However, they have not commented on this specific incident or acknowledged the apparent link to poverty.
According to the UNDP, nearly three in four Afghans are unable to meet basic needs, and the country’s fragile economic recovery is no match for the scale of subsistence shortfalls. The impact has been particularly acute for vulnerable communities, including the unemployed and displaced families.
