ReliefWeb

HIGHLIGHTS

Afghanistan has been in protracted conflict for almost thirty five years, which has seriously hampered poverty reduction and development, strained the fabric of society and depleted coping mechanisms.
As the conflict intensifies, Afghanistan’s most contested areas are witnessing elevated humanitarian needs due to displacement, violence, intimidation, interruption of basic services or inability of people to access services. The Afghan Presidential elections scheduled for 5 April 2014 are the principal focus of Afghan and international partners given the importance of a peaceful political transfer of authority for the country’s stability and future international support.

In 2014, the transitions in the security, political and economic sectors are likely to have a worsening impact on the humanitarian situation, 51 per cent of the population is aged 15 or below, and more than one in every two Afghans is economically dependent. The labour market will need to accommodate an annual influx of 400,000 to 500,000 new entrants over the next 5 to 10 years, especially in rural areas.