Afghans living through poverty, unemployment and dysfunctional healthcare system

A dysfunctional health system, widespread poverty and increased restrictions placed on women are at the heart of the current humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, according to a new report published by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) today.

Policymakers, donors and local authorities must urgently focus on strengthening basic medical care at district levels to improve people’s access to healthcare; international organisations must address the issues contributing to the economic crisis; and women must be allowed to pursue further education and employment opportunities, to raise income for their families, the report added.

A staggering 95 per cent of people said they had faced difficulties in affording food over the past 12 months, primarily as a result of rising unemployment rates and stagnant salaries accompanied by increasing prices, especially for basic food items.

In December 2022, Taliban announced its decision to bar women from employment in non-governmental organisations and from university-level education. This will likely worsen women’s access to healthcare.