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Ghani says 90% of population lives below the poverty line
President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday painted a grim picture of the high poverty levels in Afghanistan and said an estimated 90 percent of the population lived below the $2 a day poverty line.
Addressing guests attending the launch of the government’s aid distribution program “Distarkhan-e-Millie”, Ghani said poverty is not an incident, it is a tragedy.
He said a responsible and accountable government takes the pain of its people seriously and acts accordingly.
The president said the accountability method in dealing with the new program will be revised and that it will be monitored so that people get the food packages they need. He also indicated that if mismanagement occurred, the people needed to report it.
Ghani also raised the issue of COVID-19 and praised officials for having raised awareness around the pandemic.
In terms of aid, donated by foreign countries, Ghani said that Afghanistan needed to become self-sufficient in this respect. He did, however, express his appreciation regarding international organizations and countries that had contributed to the program.
Amrullah Saleh, First Vice President, meanwhile thanked Ghani for having made budget adjustments to include the food program.
He said the food distribution programs will be rolled out in two phases; at first in 34 provinces, 123 districts, 12,896 villages, and will reach a total of 1.67 million families.
This phase will cost an estimated US$86 million and packages will include wheat, rice, oil, beans, and hand soap.
Saleh said the second phase would also be carried out in 34 provinces and will take in 235 districts, 21,842 villages, and 2.5 million families.
The budget for phase two would be an estimated US$158 million.
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan has signed a 30-year agreement with a private company to extract marble in Daikundi province.
Under the contract, the company will invest AFN 283 million in exploring and mining marble at the “Mesh-Uliya” site, spanning 16.74 square kilometers in central Daikundi.
Hedayatullah Badri, Minister of Mines and Petroleum, stated that the marble will be processed domestically before being exported abroad. He added that the Mesh-Uliya project is expected to create around 200 jobs, and the company is committed to supporting local communities through social initiatives.
Economic experts highlight that such investments, especially those focusing on domestic processing, are crucial for job creation, boosting exports, and strengthening the national economy. Analysts further note that the project will improve local infrastructure, expand social services, and enhance the economic and social well-being of Daikundi residents.
Since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, efforts to develop Afghanistan’s mining sector have intensified, with multiple contracts signed in areas including cement, copper, iron, and lapis lazuli, involving both domestic and international companies.
A passenger bus veered off the Salang Highway before dawn on Sunday, leaving five people dead and 44 others injured, the Ministry of Public Works said.
According to the ministry, the incident occurred at around 2:00 a.m. in the Shawol area of North Salang when a passenger bus deviated from the main road due to the driver’s negligence.
Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, said five passengers were killed and 44 others sustained injuries. He added that personnel from the Salang Maintenance and Protection Directorate promptly arrived at the scene and transferred the injured to the Khunjān clinic for medical treatment.
The Ministry of Public Works has urged drivers and passengers traveling on the Salang Highway to strictly follow the instructions of on-duty teams, observe traffic regulations, and carry warm clothing, food supplies, and snow chains to prevent similar incidents.
The ministry also noted that heavy snowfall and stormy weather have led to the temporary closure of the highway, while road maintenance teams are continuing snow-clearing operations.
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Major fire in Mandawi Kabul market contained, extensive losses prevented
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
The Ministry of Interior reported that personnel from the General Directorate of Firefighting and Emergency Response successfully prevented the further spread of a fire at Mandawi market on Kabul early Sunday morning.
Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for the ministry, said that the fire destroyed 10 storage facilities and 8 shops. He added that initial losses are estimated at around $700,000, but timely action by firefighting personnel saved property worth approximately $2.2 million.
Qani explained that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. He praised the rapid and effective containment operations, which prevented more extensive damage.
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
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