KABUL, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a local aid agency to assist returnees, displaced people, and needy families, the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the MoU, over 952,000 U.S. dollars will be raised to benefit 210,140 people, the statement said.

The agency will distribute foodstuffs and implement public utility projects in the provinces of Kabul, Kapisa, Panjshir, Parwan, Wardak, Logar, Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Ghazni, Bamiyan, Daykundi, Herat, Farah, Badghis, and Ghor.

The Afghan interim government has called on local and international organizations to invest in the country to address its economic hardship and create jobs. ■