KABUL (SW) – Thousands of internally displaced families sheltering in various camps across Kabul are bracing for harsh winter with no aid and support.
A number of war-weary families fleeing the raging war in Kunduz province told Salam Watandar in Kabul that this is the third winter they are going to spend in the camp. Three women at this camp, who wished not to be named in the report, said many children have already become ill due to the harsh weather conditions and lack of food, medicine and clean water.
They also spoke at length about lack of heating resources.
At another camp, there were dozens of families of the recently repatriated Afghan refugees from Pakistan. They said powerful and outlawed individuals have encroached upon their homes in Laghman and Nangarhar provinces.
Three such IDPs, Sher Jan, Shahla and Anwar, said they have no resources at their disposal to acquire heating items with.
When contacted, Abdul Basit Ansari, spokesman for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, said the fighting and drought have displaced some three million people across the country. He said the number of returnees from abroad has dropped amid increased insecurity in Afghanistan. He added the finance ministry has allocated some AFN 286 million for the welfare of refugees and IDPs. Ansari said a number of aid agencies have also pledged support in winter.
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