Thousands find jobs under food-for-work program in Bamyan

BAMYAN CITY (Pajhwok): Thousands of people are provided short-term employment opportunities under the food-for-work program in central Bamyan province, an official said on Monday.

Rural Rehabilitation and Development Director Mullah Ziyaullah Khadim told Pajhwok Afghan News the job opportunities have been provided to more than 7,500 people in the province under the food-for-work program in cooperation with the World Food Program (WFP).

He said the program commenced a week ago. Employees are working five hours per day cleaning agricultural canals, waterways and repairing secondary roads.

After 30 days, employees will receive food packages that would include flour, oil, chickpeas, and nutritional supplements, the director added.

The program is aimed at supporting residents and developing remote areas and creating jobs, Khadim explained.

Residents welcomed the launch of the program.

According to Haidar, a resident, distributing aid in exchange for work is a good program. On the one hand, it provides jobs for people and on the other plays role in the development of remote areas, he said.

He explained most people were unemployed and the program targeted poor and needy families.

hz/ma