UN Says Nearly Half of Afghanistan's Population Lives Below Poverty Line

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that 23.7 million Afghans are dependent on humanitarian aid.

OCHA stated that currently, 48 percent of Afghanistan's population lives below the poverty line, and 12.4 percent are experiencing food insecurity.

In a note shared on X social media platform on Tuesday, the UN office highlighted that economic poverty has significantly increased compared to previous years.

According to OCHA, of the more than $30 billion budget requested by the organisation for 2024, only 25 percent has been funded.

The UN's humanitarian coordination office is urging countries and aid organisations to continue their support through humanitarian aid distribution programmes in Afghanistan.

Amid the UN's concerns, several other aid organisations have also warned that Afghanistan is facing one of the world's largest and most complex humanitarian crises.

According to the latest World Bank report, three years after the Taliban's return to power, Afghanistan's economy has shown no growth and remains in a state of stagnation.

Monitoring agencies indicate that the Taliban's restrictions on women's activities, education, and employment have further exacerbated the economic situation in Afghanistan.