Michael Hughes: There’s an international development theory, backed by strong evidence, known as the paradox of giving – that foreign aid often leads to more suffering for poverty-stricken countries, and donors ought embrace the Hippocratic oath: “First, do no harm,” as argued by expert William Easterly. The concept that funding and food could make a situation worse
SCMP: Chinese traders and business leaders report foreigners returning to the streets of Kabul. But the risk of sanctions and security factors mean Chinese companies are still reluctant to invest in Afghanistan, says academic. Click here to read more (external link).
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty August 10, 2023 Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged donor countries to find ways to mitigate the ongoing humanitarian and human rights crisis in Afghanistan without reinforcing the Taliban’s repressive policies against women, girls, and media. In an August 10 statement, HRW pointed to the devastating effect of the Taliban edict banning women
By RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi August 10, 2023 The UN World Food Program (WFP) has warned that without urgent funding, it will be forced to cut food aid to millions of Afghans grappling with hunger and food insecurity. The warning comes as aid groups scramble to attract international attention to diminishing funding to assistance operations in one
Ariana: Officials of Afghanistan’s central bank said Wednesday the afghani (AFN) has in the past year strengthened by 4.4 percent against the US dollar. This comes after the afghani dropped by 10.4% in the previous year. Click here to read more (external link). Related US Appropriated $2.35 Billion to Afghanistan Post Collapse: SIGAR
8am: However, as this program launches, some Parwan residents have voiced concerns about the fairness of the aid distribution process. They claim an imbalance, favoring certain recipients repeatedly. These residents continue to accuse the Taliban of interfering in compiling the beneficiary list, alleging that aid distribution is notably higher in areas historically accessible to the
Khaama: Extractions of Emerald mines in Panjshir province have officially begun, according to a statement from the [Taliban] provincial government on Tuesday. The provincial head for mines and petroleum, Mohammad Qasim Amiri, said during an official ceremony attended by government representatives, tribal elders, and religious scholars that emeralds are found on mountains up to 4,000
FP: Things have been bad for decades, but the Taliban threaten to make them worse. In Turkmenistan, household faucets are running dry and locusts are devouring crops. In Kazakhstan, a state of emergency has been declared as the Caspian Sea shrinks to a puddle. In Uzbekistan, the end of an international slave-labor boycott has boosted
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty August 3, 2023 Kazakh Trade and Integration Minister Serik Zhumangharin opened the Kazakh-Afghan Business Forum on August 3, stressing what he called the “importance” of economic ties between the two countries even though Astana considers the Taliban militants running Kabul to be “terrorists.” “I would like to reiterate again that Kazakhstan
Ayaz Gul VOA News July 31, 2023 ISLAMABAD — The United States said Monday that it had urged Afghanistan’s Taliban in the latest round of bilateral talks to reverse policies responsible for the deteriorating human rights situation in the country, particularly for women, girls and vulnerable communities, while praising economic and counternarcotics gains the country has