Jobs lost, middle class Afghans slide into poverty, hunger
The Hindu
Economy was already in trouble under the previous, U.S.-backed government, which often could not pay its employees
Not long ago, Ferishta Salihi and her family had enough for a decent life. Her husband was working and earned a good salary. She could send several of her daughters to private schools.
But now, after her husband lost his job following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, she was lined up with hundreds of other Afghans, registering with the U.N.’s World Food Programme (WFP) to receive food and cash that her family desperately needs just for survival.
“We have lost everything. We’ve lost our minds,” Ms. Salihi said after her registration was complete. With her was her eldest daughter, 17-year-old Fatima, whom she had to take out of school. She can’t afford to pay the fees at a private school, and the Taliban so far are not allowing teenage girls to go to public schools.

The Union and State governments provided support in several ways to the needy people, but private institutions should also extend help, especially to those requiring medical assistance, said C.P. Rajkumar, Managing Director, Nalam Multispeciality Hospital, here on Saturday. Speaking at a function to honour Inspector General of Police V. Balakrishnan and neurologist S. Meenakshisundaram with C. Palaniappan Memorial Award for their contribution to society and Nalam Kappom medical adoption of Type-1 diabetic children, he said the governments implemented numerous welfare programmes, but the timely help by a private hospital or a doctor in the neighbourhood to the people in need would go a long way in safeguarding their lives.












