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World Bank to push ahead with some Afghan projects, maintain pause on education support -sources -Breaking

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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO. Afghan women carry packages that were distributed by the Turkish humanitarian aid organization. They leave Kabul Distribution Centre, Afghanistan on December 15, 2021. REUTERS/Ali Khara/File Photo

Jonathan Landay and Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The World Bank will resume work on three projects focused on Afghanistan’s health, agriculture, and livelihoods but will keep a hold of $150 million to fund education projects. Two sources close to the matter said Tuesday.

Due to its concern over Taliban bans on girls going to public high schools, the multilateral bank placed all four projects (valued at $600m) on hold.

On Monday, the U.S. Treasury reported that the Group of Seven partners as well as other significant donors to Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Funds (ARTF), will gather to discuss Afghanistan’s increasing economic and food security concerns.

Sources said some multilateral organizations such as IMF, UNAMA, and Islamic Development Bank will participate.

The World Bank stated that it required all ARTF-funded activities to be funded to ensure access and equality of services to Afghan women and girls.

According to one source, officials have decided that they will “resume preparations” for the non-educational projects. They are worth approximately $450m.

Russia describes its actions as a “special military operation.”

The World Bank published last week a grim outlook on Afghanistan’s economy. They noted that per-capita income has fallen more than one third since the Taliban took power as U.S. forces withdrew.

The study found that 37% of Afghan households didn’t have enough money to pay for food, while 33% were able to afford food.

The World Bank stipulated when it released ARTF funds to allow for the implementation of new U.N projects, that the Bank would place a strong emphasis on ensuring women and girls benefit from this support.

Taliban have rescinded the gains made in women’s rights over the past two decades. They restrict their work and limit their travel, unless they are accompanied by close male relatives. Many girls couldn’t go to school after seventh grade.

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