LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan — Residents of Helmand province are grappling with a sharp rise in the cost of heating materials, with many saying they can no longer afford firewood as winter sets in.
Some residents report paying as much as 80 Afghanis ($1.20) for just seven kilograms of firewood, a price they say is unsustainable given the region’s dire economic conditions.
“Our economic situation is very bad. On one hand, foreign aid has been cut off, and on the other hand, there is no farming,” said Abdul Ghafar, a resident of Helmand.
Others say they have resorted to burning wild bushes for warmth—an alternative that produces thick smoke and poses health risks.
“We are forced to buy one man (about four kilograms) of firewood for 80 Afghanis. We are poor and don’t even have a kilo of flour at home,” said Tajullah, another resident.
The economic downturn has hit not just farmers but also women who depend on traditional crafts for income. Some who spin wool for a living say demand for handmade yarn has plummeted, leaving them without work.
Munawara, a Helmand resident, said she has had to take on debt to afford basic necessities.
“I buy a small amount of flour and make it last as long as I can. There is no work available. I go to the market every day looking for labor, but I can’t find any. I have no choice but to take loans from shopkeepers,” she said.
The crisis has been compounded by limited access to electricity and the soaring cost of oil and gas, leaving most Helmand residents reliant on firewood for heating. As prices climb, many fear they will struggle to stay warm through the winter.
