There are two main reasons for Afghanistan’s economic crisis. When U.S. forces left in August, Afghanistan’s assets, many of which were tied up in American banks, were frozen by the international community. Afghanistan’s currency is weak, and most of the world works on the American dollar. Before they are unfrozen, the Taliban-led government will need to make significant changes to allow girls to get an education.

The other problem has to do with capable personnel. The Taliban offers jobs to soldiers and Islamic scholars instead of people with the right experience. They know they need qualified doctors, teachers, and government bureaucrats. The massive airlift by foreign nations took people with these skills out of Afghanistan. Those who remain are reluctant to work for the Taliban government because it jeopardizes their chances of escaping to the West. Those who take these government assignments seldom get paid.

It’s winter. There are nine million displaced people. Half the people in Afghanistan face the real possibility of hunger and even starvation. As often happens, those who face the consequences are women and children. There are reports of families selling their daughters into early marriages to avoid hunger.

SOURCES:

• The New York Times, The Taliban Have Staffing Issues. They Are Looking for Help in Pakistan. January 13, 2022.
• Aljazeera, UN chief warns millions of Afghans are on ‘verge of death’. January 13, 2022