The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced that it has supported 80000 small businesses across Afghanistan since October 2021, with 97 percent of them led by women.

In a report released on Sunday, 14 July, the UNDP said its support efforts have created at least 400000 jobs and improved living conditions for an estimated 2.7 million people.

The agency also reported that it has delivered life-saving assistance and social support to 25 million Afghans during the same period, as part of its ongoing efforts to mitigate the effects of Afghanistan’s economic crisis.

Operating across all 34 provinces, the UNDP said its programmes focus on strengthening livelihoods and resilience by providing healthcare, education, support for small businesses, and other essential social services. The agency described its efforts as part of helping Afghans navigate “one of the most difficult periods in the country’s history.”

Despite these achievements, the UNDP warned that additional funding is urgently needed, stating it requires $350 million to continue its operations over the next two years.

In a separate report published in May, the UNDP noted that 90 percent of Afghan households had experienced economic shocks in 2024 due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis. It said 65 percent of families had been directly affected, marking a 35 precent increase compared to 2023.