KABUL (Pajhwok): The Economy minister and the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) for Afghanistan discussed expanding cooperation, continuing humanitarian and development assistance and the organisation’s four-year strategy for Afghanistan.
The ministry said in a statement today (Sunday) that Economy Minister Qari Din Mohammad Hanif met with Taria Magnussen-Waterdal, head of the NRC for Afghanistan, and her delegation.
According to the statement, the NRC official outlined the organisation’s four-year strategy for Afghanistan, saying it focuses on three main areas: food security, natural resource management, and health and rehabilitation.
He added that the strategy also gives special attention to capacity building and vocational education.
He said communication and engagement were among the key components of the strategy, adding that the NRC would seek to use these efforts to present the international community with a genuine and positive picture of Afghanistan.
He said that despite declining international aid and limited resources, the organisation would continue supporting people with disabilities and other vulnerable members of society and, in coordination with the Ministry of Economy, work to improve the living conditions of Afghans.
The statement quoted the economy minister as thanking the NRC for its cooperation and stressing the importance of coordination between the Ministry of Economy and domestic and international organisations to ensure the effective implementation of development and humanitarian projects.
He described the implementation of the organisation’s four-year strategy as an effective step towards improving the living conditions of Afghans.
Qari Din Mohammad Hanif also stressed that the Ministry of Economy supports programmes that serve national interests, promote economic growth, create sustainable opportunities and improve the well-being of the Afghan people.
He added that the ministry would provide the necessary cooperation as a facilitating institution.
According to the statement, at the end of the meeting, the NRC official thanked the Islamic Emirate for its cooperation, coordination and management, particularly its assistance to refugees who have returned to Afghanistan in recent years.
He also expressed confidence that cooperation with the Ministry of Economy would continue.
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