RASC News Agency: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced the provision of vital financial assistance to thousands of Afghanistani families during this winter season, aiming to alleviate their struggles amidst the country’s harsh economic and weather conditions. In its statement, UNICEF revealed that it had distributed cash aid to 32,000 families across Afghanistan. The assistance is intended to help recipients meet their daily needs and secure warmth against the severe winter cold. On Wednesday, January 15, UNICEF confirmed that this initiative was carried out in partnership with the humanitarian assistance division of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The organization underscored that a significant portion of Afghanistan’s population continues to face critical humanitarian needs, warning that without sustained support, they will endure an exceptionally difficult winter. However, UNICEF did not specify the exact amount of financial aid provided to each family. The statement further noted the worsening plight of Afghanistani citizens, highlighting how winter exacerbates economic stagnation, isolates remote communities due to heavy snowfall, and increases the vulnerability of children to respiratory illnesses.
Recently, international agencies have voiced concerns about funding shortages for winter relief efforts in Afghanistan. The World Food Programme (WFP) previously warned that budget constraints would prevent it from delivering essential aid to seven million people in Afghanistan during the winter months. Since the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan has been grappling with severe economic challenges. A substantial portion of the population now lives below the poverty line, and unemployment continues to rise sharply. The Taliban administration has been criticized for its inability to address the deteriorating economic conditions, provide adequate relief, or create meaningful employment opportunities for the Afghanistani people.
