The high cost of nutritious foods can worsen poor diets and nutrition outcomes especially among low-income households. Yet little is known about the spatial and temporal patterns of the cost of nutritious diets in South Asia, where malnutrition in multiple forms remains high.
... Exibir mais + Using existing food price data from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India, two methods are applied to assess the affordability of nutritious foods: Cost of a Recommended Diet (CoRD) and Nutritious Food Price Index (NPI). The analysis finds that the cost of a nutritious diet is 38 percent higher in Sri Lanka using CoRD compared to the cost of a (calorie-based) diet that meets basic food needs, and 15 percent higher in Afghanistan. In addition, CoRD varies across cities due to variability in the price of dairy and vegetables. Comparison of the NPI and the food Consumer Price Index (CPI) indicates that, for some countries, the price of a nutritious food basket varies more by season and has been increasing at a faster rate than the price of a typical food basket. This phenomenon is largely due to the variable cost of vegetables.
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Documento de trabalho sobre pesquisa de políticas WPS8557 AUG 16, 2018
Dizon,Felipe Jr Fadullon; Herforth,Anna WhitsonDisclosed
Afghans represent the world’s largest protracted refugee population, and one of the largest populations to be repatriated to their country of origin in this century.
... Exibir mais + Between 2002 and 2016, over six million refugees returned to Afghanistan from neighboring countries. In 2016 alone, returnees numbered more than a million. In an already difficult context, large-scale internal displacement and return from outside have strained the delivery of public services in Afghanistan and increased competition for scarce economic opportunities, not only for the displaced, but for the population at large. This note aims at contributing to our understanding of displacement in Afghanistan by comparing the socioeconomic profiles of three populations: (i) former refugees who returned to Afghanistan between 2002 and 2014 (“pre-2015 returnees”); (ii) internally displaced persons (“IDPs”); and (iii) non-displaced persons (“hosts”). The note captures and compares these groups’ situations at a specific time-point, using data from the 2013-14 Afghanistan Living Conditions Survey (ALCS). Importantly, the results document socioeconomic conditions just prior to the transfer of security responsibilities from international troops to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in 2014, which was associated with a subsequent decline in aid, both security and civilian, and a sharp drop in economic activity. The results presented here cover the largest return of Afghans to the county following the fall of the Taliban in 2002, but precede the more recent large-scale return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan in 2016-17. Future publications will extend the findings summarized here with analysis of new and existing data covering this recent influx. This research is part of an ongoing effort to document population displacement challenges and solutions in Afghanistan over time. Data from ALCS 2013-14 establish baseline socio-economic profiles for returned refugees, IDPs, and non-displaced hosts. Further research and analysis now in progress will document how these conditions have changed since 2013-14, and will distill evidence for policy to improve socio-economic outcomes among Afghanistan’s displaced and non-displaced people.
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The Afghanistan Development Update is a twice-annual publication providing analysis of recent developments and presenting the World Bank team’s most-recent macroeconomic projections.
... Exibir mais + The August 2018 edition focuses on the state of the economy in the context of upcoming elections, and the potential for a loss of recent momentum as confidence declines. Special topics address: i) the potential for trade to underpin development in Afghanistan; ii) recent trends in poverty and welfare; and iii) priorities for improving education quality and coverage. Afghanistan has experienced slow growth since 2014, with the draw-down of international security forces, accompanying reductions in international grants, and a worsening security situation (growth has averaged 2.3 percent between 2014-2017). Following a period of political instability after the 2014 elections, the economy has slowly regained momentum as reforms have been implemented and confidence restored. From a low of 1.5 percent in 2015, real GDP growth accelerated to 2.3 percent in 2016, and is estimated at 2.7 percent for 2017. Building momentum now appears to be at some risk, with increasing election-related violence, declining business confidence, worsening drought conditions, and some apparent slowing of economic activity. Growth is projected at 2.4 percent in 2018, with substantial downside risks arising from the prospects of political instability around upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections. Risks can be partly mitigated and recent momentum maintained through: i) continued reform progress, demonstrating to investors that the deterioration in governance seen in 2014 will not be repeated; and ii) continued donor commitment to sustained grant support.
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The Afghanistan Development Update is a twice-annual publication providing analysis of recent developments and presenting the World Bank team’s most-recent macroeconomic projections.
... Exibir mais + The August 2018 edition focuses on the state of the economy in the context of upcoming elections, and the potential for a loss of recent momentum as confidence declines. Special topics address: i) the potential for trade to underpin development in Afghanistan; ii) recent trends in poverty and welfare; and iii) priorities for improving education quality and coverage. Afghanistan has experienced slow growth since 2014, with the draw-down of international security forces, accompanying reductions in international grants, and a worsening security situation (growth has averaged 2.3 percent between 2014-2017). Following a period of political instability after the 2014 elections, the economy has slowly regained momentum as reforms have been implemented and confidence restored. From a low of 1.5 percent in 2015, real GDP growth accelerated to 2.3 percent in 2016, and is estimated at 2.7 percent for 2017. Building momentum now appears to be at some risk, with increasing election-related violence, declining business confidence, worsening drought conditions, and some apparent slowing of economic activity. Growth is projected at 2.4 percent in 2018, with substantial downside risks arising from the prospects of political instability around upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections. Risks can be partly mitigated and recent momentum maintained through: i) continued reform progress, demonstrating to investors that the deterioration in governance seen in 2014 will not be repeated; and ii) continued donor commitment to sustained grant support.
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Evening-hour luminosity observed using satellites is a good proxy for economic activity. The strengths of measuring economic activity using nightlight measurements include that the data capture informal activity, are available in near real-time, are cheap to obtain, and can be used to conduct very spatially granular analysis.
... Exibir mais + This paper presents a measure of monthly economic activity at the district level based on cleaned Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite nightlight and rural population. The paper demonstrates that this new method can shed light on recent episodes in South Asia: first, the 2015 earthquake in Nepal; second, demonetization in India; and, third, violent conflict outbreaks in Afghanistan.
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Documento de trabalho sobre pesquisa de políticas WPS8523 JUL 12, 2018
Beyer,Robert Carl Michael; Chhabra,Esha; Galdo,Virgilio; Rama,Martin G.Disclosed
Afghanistan has achieved substantial development progress since 2001, but faces important upcoming challenges. Government efforts supported by aid inflows have fueled rapid economic growth, expanded the quality of and access to basic social services, and improved the capacity of public sector institutions.
... Exibir mais + However, deterioration in the security situation following the security transition in 2014 combined with declining international assistance pose formidable challenges for Afghanistan to manage its economy and deliver public services. The availability of high quality, reliable economic, socio-economic, and demographic statistics is vital if appropriate policy responses to these challenges are to be identified and implemented.
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The paper uses a detailed household survey to document precautionary wealth accumulation in Afghanistan, with wealth being significantly higher for households facing higher income uncertainty.
... Exibir mais + Annual household expenditure on nondurable goods is also lower for these households. There is no significant difference in the wealth response to income uncertainty across high- and low-conflict provinces. However, the constituents of precautionary wealth vary drastically. While households in the low-conflict regions rely almost exclusively on livestock to iron out uncertainty, households in the high-conflict areas also build up a reserve of gold and silver. This shift in household portfolio suggests a more substantial decline in real returns of livestock relative to jewelry in high-conflict provinces.
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Documento de trabalho sobre pesquisa de políticas WPS8453 MAY 23, 2018
This issue focuses on FCV Countries and Topics and features the following articles: Confronting the Development Challenges of Fragility, Conflict, and Violence; What Drives the Radicalization of Foreign Terrorist Recruits?
... Exibir mais + The Cost of Fear; Leaving, Staying, or Coming Back? Migration Decisionsduring the Northern Mali Conflict; How Myanmar’s Reforms Are Playing Out in Rural Villages; Obstacles on the Road to Economic Growth in the West Bank; Can Public Works Help Postconflict Communities Escape Poverty? Can Mass Media Increase Women’s Political Participation after Civil War? Conflict and Poverty in Afghanistan’s Transition; Who Benefited from Burundi’s Demobilization Program? and U.S. Food Aid and Civil Conflict Revisited: A Methodological Caution .
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As of May 21, 2018, the cash balance stood at USD 1,443.92 million comprising: (a) USD 84.19 million in the Recurrent Cost Trust Fund (excluding USD 50 million in the designated Account); (b)combined undisbursed balance of the ARTF active investment portfolio of USD 797.35 million; (c)USD 0.73 million combined undisbursed balance of the Research and Analysis Program and (d)USD 18.12 million reserved for the Monitoring and Supervisory Agents, leaving a net unallocated cash balance of USD 493.53 million.
... Exibir mais + This report presents tabular data on: (i) ARTF consolidated sources and uses of funds; (ii) recurrent cost overview; (iii) ARTF 2018-2020 financing program : pledges and contributions; (iv) actual and expected donor contributions; (v) expressed donor preference by projects; (vi) ARTF commitments and disbursements; (vii) status and ratings of active and disbursing ARTF investment projects; and (viii) ARTF planned allocations (cash outflow).
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This paper investigates the state of low investment in Afghanistan by studying how investment decisions interact with risks and uncertainty in the presence of underdeveloped financial markets.
... Exibir mais + The analysis shows that investing firms experience a higher probability of being affected by events related to crime and corruption and spend more on security arrangements. Firms that participate in the formal financial sector are also subject to higher levels of risk and uncertainty. As more productive firms face higher risks and uncertainty, a model of resource allocation with heterogeneous firms is used to quantify the economic loss from crime and corruption. The estimated aggregate output loss of 12 percent is significantly higher than the 7 percent loss observed in the absence of the resource allocation channel.
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Documento de trabalho sobre pesquisa de políticas WPS8443 MAY 15, 2018
As of April 20, 2018, the cash balance comprised of: (a) the recurrent cost trust fund; (b) combined undisbursed balance of the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) active investment portfolio; (c) combined undisbursed balance of the research and analysis program; and (d) reserved for the monitoring and supervisory agents, leaving a net unallocated cash balance.
... Exibir mais + This report presents tabular data on: ARTF contributions for FY1397, as of April 20, 2018; ARTF consolidated sources and uses of funds; recurrent cost overview; ARTF 2018-2020 financing program: pledges and contributions; actual and expected donor contributions; expressed donor preferences by projects; ARTF commitments and disbursements; status and ratings of active and disbursing ARTF investment projects; and ARTF planned allocations (cash outflow).
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Afghanistan's biggest economic challenge is finding sustainable sources of growth. To date, the World Bank has committed more than 3.85 billion dollars for development projects.
... Exibir mais + The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group's private sector development arm, cumulative committed portfolio stands at 52 million dollars and its advisory services portfolio at 8.8 million dollars. The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) has 116.5 million dollars of gross exposure for three projects in Afghanistan. The Bank-administered Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund has raised more than 10.3 billion dollars.
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Afghanistan's biggest economic challenge is finding sustainable sources of growth. To date, the World Bank has committed more than 3.85 billion dollars for development projects.
... Exibir mais + The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group's private sector development arm, cumulative committed portfolio stands at 52 million dollars and its advisory services portfolio at 8.8 million dollars. The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) has 116.5 million dollars of gross exposure for three projects in Afghanistan. The Bank-administered Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund has raised more than 10.3 billion dollars.
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Afghanistan's biggest economic challenge is finding sustainable sources of growth. To date, the World Bank has committed more than 3.85 billion dollars for development projects.
... Exibir mais + The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group's private sector development arm, cumulative committed portfolio stands at 52 million dollars and its advisory services portfolio at 8.8 million dollars. The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) has 116.5 million dollars of gross exposure for three projects in Afghanistan. The Bank-administered Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund has raised more than 10.3 billion dollars.
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Afghanistan has made strong gains in health outcomes, health service coverage andhealth systems performance since 2003, with a particular impact on women andchildren's health.
... Exibir mais + All told, Afghanistan has made notable progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets for improving maternal (MDG5) and child health (MDG4). According to United Nations estimates, maternal mortality rates (MMR) declined from 1,100 to 396 deaths per 100,000 live births from 2000 to 2015 (Alkema and others 2016), and under-5 child mortality rates (U5MR) fell 34 percent (from 137 to 91 deaths per 1,000 live births). Newborn mortality rates (NMR) dropped 32 percent (from 53 to 36 deaths per 1,000 live births) (You and others 2016). Nevertheless, it is important to emphasize that in absolute terms there is considerable room for progress.
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As of March 20, 2018, the cash balance stood at 1,461.86 million US dollars comprising: (a) 84.42 million US dollars in the recurrent cost trust fund (excluding 50 million US dollars in the designated account); (b) combined undisbursed balance of the ARTF active investment portfolio of 746.24 million US dollars cash balance of 558.98 million US dollars.
... Exibir mais + This report presents tabular data on: (i) ARTF consolidated sources and uses of funds; (ii) recurrent cost overview; (iii) ARTF 2018-2020 financing program : pledges and contributions; (iv) actual and expected donor contributions; (v) expressed donor preference by projects; (vi) ARTF commitments and disbursements; (vii) status and ratings of active and disbursing ARTF investment projects; and (viii) ARTF planned allocations (cash outflow); (c) 0.96 million US dollars combined undisbursed balance of the research and analysis program and (d) 21.25 million US dollars reserved for the monitoring and supervisory agents, leaving a net unallocated
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The World Bank Group is supporting a transformation in Afghanistan’s underdeveloped raisins sector to recapture its former status as a world-class producer and exporter.
... Exibir mais + Collaborative interventions range from the farm level, to facilitating private sector investments, to developing modern processing, to strengthening global competitiveness. International Finance Corporation’s (IFC’s) advisory program will help Rikweda improve financial management capacity, food safety standards, and linkages with smallholder farmers. The project is expected to raise selling prices for raisin farmers in the region by 15 to 20 percent compared to current market prices by ensuring uninterrupted sales and eliminating intermediaries in the procurement.
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Afghanistan has made strong gains in health outcomes, health service coverage andhealth systems performance since 2003, with a particular impact on women andchildren's health.
... Exibir mais + All told, Afghanistan has made notable progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets for improving maternal (MDG5) and child health (MDG4). According to United Nations estimates, maternal mortality rates (MMR) declined from 1,100 to 396 deaths per 100,000 live births from 2000 to 2015 (Alkema and others 2016), and under-5 child mortality rates (U5MR) fell 34 percent (from 137 to 91 deaths per 1,000 live births). Newborn mortality rates (NMR) dropped 32 percent (from 53 to 36 deaths per 1,000 live births) (You and others 2016). Nevertheless, it is important to emphasize that in absolute terms there is considerable room for progress.
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As of February 19, 2018, the cash balance comprised of: (a) the recurrent cost trust fund; (b) combined undisbursed balance of the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) active investment portfolio; (c) combined undisbursed balance of the research and analysis program; and (d) reserved for the monitoring and supervisory agents, leaving a net unallocated cash balance.
... Exibir mais + This report presents tabular data on: ARTF contributions for FY1397, as of February 19, 2018; ARTF consolidated sources and uses of funds; recurrent cost overview; ARTF 2018-2020 financing program: pledges and contributions; actual and expected donor contributions; expressed donor preferences by projects; ARTF commitments and disbursements; status and ratings of active and disbursing ARTF investment projects; and ARTF planned allocations (cash outflow).
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