Introduction
In the report and request to donors and advocates presented in this posting, Negina Yari, the Afghanistan-based director of Afghans4Tomorrow (A4T) provides us with a view of the stark present realities of the country. But even more significant to peace educators and peace activists, the statement is a testament to the courage and hope for the future of the country exhibited by what remains of Afghan civil society. Our readers are familiar with examples previously reported in GCPE posts, such as those of the Afghan Institute for Learning. We hope to report on more such efforts.
We intend, especially, to continue to bring readers more reports on Afghans4Tomorrow. With two decades of experience in on-the-ground, community-based endeavors in education and social development, A4T works with purposes similar to undertakings some members of Advocates for Afghan Women Scholars and Professionals have suggested to UNAMA (The United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan). Among the suggestions, are education and employment opportunities for girls and women.
All who have concern for the people of Afghanistan should be aware of the economic conditions of which Negina Yari informs us. Let us, as well, reflect upon how we might help in fulfilling the needs she describes, and what other transnational civil society organizations and intergovernmental agencies might be enlisted. Clearly this A4T report shows a need for concerted and coordinated transnational (nongovernmental) and international (governmental) efforts to relieve the daily suffering of the Afghan people. We hope peace educators will be part of those efforts. (BAR, 5/3/22)
Afghans4Tomorrow Statement on Virtual Donor – CSO discussion in Doha Qatar
May 5, 2022
Poverty growth in Afghanistan must be stopped!
We Afghans are struggling with a difficult situation, today the majority of government departments have been eradicated and the majority of international donors have left Afghanistan, which caused a large number of young population in the society to lose their jobs. We witnessed families who did not have a single breadwinner in that last 10 months, while most of our educated young people were engaged in hard labor to provide for their families. Women and girls who were able to secure small employment opportunities at various administrative levels with Government Departments and Agencies have also lost their jobs and sources of income, Most of the social, cultural, human rights and sustainable economy programs and activities of the majority of donors in Afghanistan were shutdown. Inequitable access of women and girls to job opportunities and humanitarian services in remote provinces of Afghanistan, the lack of coordination between the Defacto Authorities’ Departments and Officials with implementers of humanitarian aid projects and the lack of a clear mechanism for cooperation with NGOs and Donors has disturbed and stopped humanitarian programs in most provinces of the country. Our people are now experiencing their worst financial crisis. The leadership failed to manage its financial resources effectively in the past 20 years, so that our people today do not witness this severe economic crisis.
We understand that the world is changing, most countries are trying to manage their own economic resources, but in this part of the world Afghanistan is not to be forgotten, our teachers needs a living, our daughters need humanitarian support and human rights.
Recommendations:
- Afghanistan’s financial donors plan their long-term strategies in light of past experiences gained, and in creating more jobs for women and men in the various sectors of agriculture, education, development, and deployment of Urgent Humanitarian Aids.
- The current aid is not enough considering the economic situation of the people in Afghanistan; they need more support.
- Reopen the export routes of goods for the people of Afghanistan, so that the current market crisis could be managed effectively.
- Consider the priorities of our people, the Recognition of the current system should not inflict further negative impact on the economic situation of the people.
- It’s imperative to note that Afghanistan’s broken economy and the spread of poverty in this country, have a direct impact on the world and countries in the region, therefore we urge you not to leave us alone at this time and not to impose restrictions on Humanitarian Aid, so that our people are not further harmed and at least the human crisis is managed.
- Women should be part of senior Positions and the assistance needs to be delivered based on gender Equality.
In the hope of a prosperous Afghanistan
