As the country’s economic crisis continues to deepen, residents of the capital say that meeting even the most basic daily needs has become increasingly difficult. They call on the UN and international organizations to provide urgent, targeted humanitarian assistance.
One street vendor in Kabul who pushes a cart through the city said he earns just 100 to 200 afghanis a day — the equivalent of about $1 to $2 — while his monthly rent is 5,000 afghanis. “There is no work. Rent is high,” he said. “I pay 5,000 afghanis just for rent. I work with this cart, but sometimes I can’t pay for two months.”
In another neighborhood, a former construction worker now sells ice cream on the streets. He described the heat, dust and long hours of walking with little return. “There are many problems,” he said. “It’s hot, it’s dusty, and sales are down. But I have no choice.”
Reports from Kabul and other provinces suggest that widespread poverty and unemployment are leaving many Afghans struggling to survive. Economists say the absence of sustainable job opportunities is fueling the expansion of poverty nationwide.
At the same time, aid agencies have warned that international humanitarian funding for Afghanistan has dropped sharply in recent months — a decline they say is occurring just as millions of people remain dependent on assistance for food, shelter, and healthcare.
Citizens once again urged the international community not to turn away. “Don’t forget the Afghan people,” one man said. “We are still in crisis. We need help.”
