(MENAFN- Pajhwok Afghan News)
PARAKH (Pajhwok): Thousands of families in central Panjsher province have received humanitarian aid last year that helped them economically while some people have complained they were not provided the much needed aid and were sidelined.
Afghanistan plunged into worst economic and humanitarian crises after the fall of west backed regime in August 2021. The situation worsened when US and its allies imposed economic sanctions on the war-torn country and froze its over nine billion assets.
People in Afghanistan direly needed humanitarian aid in the form of essential food items, medicine, water and garments which is provided by the different UN aid providing agencies.
The process is underway in different provinces of Afghanistan and Panjsher is one of these provinces where vulnerable families are provided with humanitarian aid periodically.
Ghulam Hazrat, 58, the resident of Pyawshat village in Rakha district, told Pajhwok Afghan News that he was a farmer but unable to address the food demands of his family, adding that his two sons were small and unable to work.
He said last year most vulnerable families were provided with aid that helped them financial and food crisis.
Ghulam Hazrat said last year he received 4,000 afs in May, 19,000 afs in October and 29,400 afs in December from different aid providing organization.
“This aid had a positive impact on our economic condition and we want the government to expand the provision of humanitarian aid,” he said.
He added a large number of residents in Panjsher faced with economic issues and most of them were provided with humanitarian aid last year.
“The assistance helped us a lot financially and we have resolved most of our economic issues,” he added.
Alauddin, the resident of central Panjsher and one of the local elders, said he was happy regarding the provision of aid and said in the last six months they received more humanitarian aid compared to any time in the past.
He demanded the distribution of aid to families who are left out of the survey and claimed to be vulnerable.
Gul Mohammad, the resident of Anaba district, said:“From the start of the year till now, I have received aid from WFP nine times. I also got 19,000 in cash in coordination with the Economy Department. I am really thankful for the humanitarian aid.”
This comes that a number of residents in Panjsher claimed the aid distribution process was not transparent.
Zikrullah, the resident of Rakha district, said he worked in police in the past and retired during past regime.
“I have to look after five member family and suffering from the worst economic situation and never received aid recently from aid providing agencies.”
He termed the aid distribution unfair and demanded greater attention of authorities to ensure transparency and fairness.
Mohammad Ibrar, Director Refugees Department, said aid providing organization in coordination with the Refugees Department provided cash aid to 11,367 displaced and vulnerable families.
He said 4,798 families were distributed food times and 421 families provided garments and clothes last year.
He said currently around 1,000 displaced families lived in Panjsher and 421 more families arrived in the province from neighbouring Nuristan, Badakhshan and Laghman provinces before regime changed.
He said aid was provided to vulnerable families in coordination with the Refugees Department. The beneficiaries were identified through a survey, adding that aid distribution had positive impact on their lives.
According to the information of the Department of Natural Disaster Management, 15,361 vulnerable families were provided with aid from foreign aid providing organization last year.
Mohibullah Jahid, director Natural Disaster Management, said 11,219 families received food items such as wheat, cooking oil, rice and others.
Over 1,142 families provide cash assistance and 3,000 families provided winter assistance.
He said families affected by natural disaster received the aid, most of the families were affected by last year's torrential rain and flood, he added.
Ahmad Eman Darwish, director NGOs affairs in the Economy Department, said 12,635 vulnerable families had been provided with aid in last solar year by the aid providing organization in coordination with his department.
He said in addition to aid 31 clinics and hospitals in Panjshir were provided support by foreign organization. As many as 1,400 personnel had been provided with job opportunities by aid providing organizations when they distribute aid or conduct surveys.
Economic Affairs Expert Ahmad Shahab Alizada while referring to the distribution of aid said:“The distribution of aid to vulnerable people nationwide helped addressed their problems but this situation was not sustainable and the situation would be deteriorated if the aid has stopped.”
He stressed there was need for sustainable income to ensure the sustainability of economy and it was the responsibility of government and they could do it.
He believed the freezing of Afghanistan's assets by the US and non-recognition of the IEA government were the main reasons behind the economic problems of Afghanistan.
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