Speaking to a Geneva press briefing, the director of operations at the International Committee of the Red Cross, Martin Schuepp, highlighted the economic and humanitarian situation of Afghanistan.

He said that countries like Afghanistan are the most vulnerable and at risk of being forgotten by the international community.

“Heat or eat, that is the phrase I heard a lot in Kabul. People can’t afford to stay warm to buy heat or to buy food. But often they can’t afford both,” he said.

This comes as residents of Kabul said that unemployment remains high, causing severe economic challenges.

“There are no jobs. I don’t have wood while the winter is around the corner. I don’t have food as well,” said Fatih Mohammad, a resident of Kabul.

“The cold weather is coming amid challenges. The Taliban are not recognized yet and also there is unemployment,” said Ibrahim, a resident of Kabul.

Economists suggested that the UN needs to implement long-term economic projects to create job opportunities for the citizens in the country.

“The reduction of the economic crisis in the country is linked to the allowance of the Central Bank or a substitute institution to conduct international deals in order to create job opportunities,” said Seyar Qureshi, an economist.

“We need economic infrastructure to manage the poverty and economic challenges in a strategic way to rotate the Afghan economic sector in general,” said Shabir Bashiri, an economist.

Earlier, the International Organization of Migration said in a report that 97 percent of Afghanistan’s population is below poverty line.