The country suffers the worst wave of frost in the last 10 years. Temperatures drop to minus 34 degrees Celsius. In the coming months, climatic hazards will originate from droughts and floods. More than half of the country’s population depends on humanitarian aid.
Kabul ( / Agencies) – At least 150 people have died of cold in the last two weeks. Temperatures of up to 34 degrees below zero have aggravated the humanitarian crisis in the country, in free fall after more than four decades of war and marked by the return to power of the Taliban in August 2021.
According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, large sectors of the population lack the financial means to purchase heating systems. The greatest impact falls on the most fragile: women, children, the sick and the elderly.
The country suffers the most intense wave of frost in the last 10 years, but the worst could come in the coming months. In some areas the effects of the drought will be felt, while others could experience severe flooding.
Right now more than half the population of Afghanistan depends on humanitarian assistance; the national health system can only function thanks to development aid. Six million Afghans face extreme food security problems. The banking system is bankrupt and there are serious problems with the electricity supply.
The Taliban regime’s recent ban on women working in non-governmental organizations has made the situation worse because humanitarian response requires a strong female presence.
