Afghanistan’s economic slump will impact neighbours

Afghanistan’s economic woes could fuel a refugee crisis impacting neighbouring countries, Turkey and Europe, the International Monetary Fund.

The IMF said Afghanistan’s neighbours would be further hit because they rely on its funds for trade.

Bordering Tajikistan has said it can’t afford to take in many more refugees.

Nearby countries will also be hurt by the loss of Afghanistan as a major trading partner.

The country used to receive huge amounts in foreign aid. The UK government estimates OECD countries donated $65bn to Afghanistan from 2001 to 2019 — much of this used to filter through to nearby Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan through trade.