KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban-led Ministry of Refugees announced on Wednesday that it has signed agreements worth 88 million afghanis (approximately $1.1 million) with six domestic and international non-governmental organizations.
According to a statement from the ministry, the agreements aim to implement projects in water supply, power network development, and school construction across seven provinces, including Kabul, Nangarhar, Herat, Kunduz, Maidan Wardak, Kandahar, and Balkh.
The organizations involved include ACTED, Providers of Humanitarian Peace, Compassion Corps, Humanitarian Aid Coordinators, Women’s Social Services, and Strengthening and Advocacy.
The agreements come as the Taliban continues to enforce a ban on women working for domestic and international non-governmental organizations, a policy the United Nations has warned is severely hindering humanitarian efforts and project implementation in Afghanistan.
Last month, the Taliban-led Ministry of Economy issued a directive reiterating the prohibition on women’s employment in NGOs and warning that any organization defying the order would have its operations suspended and license revoked.
The United Nations has stated that global aid to Afghanistan has decreased due to the Taliban’s restrictions, exacerbating the country’s worsening humanitarian crisis. The ban on women’s participation in aid work has not only limited the reach of humanitarian initiatives but also drawn widespread criticism from international donors.
