AFGHANISTAN DURING THE PANDEMIC ERA: DIFFICULTIES, ACHIEVEMENTS, PROSPECTS

Abstract

The article analyzes the specific features of counteracting the pandemic in Afghanistan, which differ from those in other neighboring countries, the essence of the “five-phase” strategy declared by President Ashraf Ghani and the stages of its implementation. It presents the overall picture of the local antivirus management tactics and the implementation of relevant large-scale organizational and legal measures by the Afghan authorities in the context of countering terrorism and extremism, armed attacks by militants on government agencies, hospitals and doctors, and deportation of Afghan citizens from Iran. The effectiveness of the infrastructure developed in the country for countering COVID-19, the successful interaction of the central authorities and provincial leaderships, the operation of counter-unemployment systems, and the general minimization of pandemic consequences are revealed. The article substantiates the need for further democratization of Afghan society, the negotiations between the authorities and the opposition, observation of human rights, continued efforts of the Afghan Ombudsperson and other civil institutions during the quarantine period, and prevention of authoritarian tendencies. The mandatory and required transformation of external borrowing and donor assistance is revealed in the context of competition of the U.S., China, India, the EU, Pakistan, Iran in the economic and political field. Finally, specific recommendations are made to step up the efforts of the state and the global community in the spheres of industry, agriculture, trade, construction, transport, communications, education, culture, health care, utilities, environment, and anti-corruption.