Afghanistan

Desperate Afghan families speak out about not receiving aid

Children waiting in a queue to receive food in aid in Kabul on January 18, 2022.

As the cold winter approaches and international organizations warn of a growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, a number of Afghans spoke out about their dire situation – many of whom claimed aid has not reached them.

Many said they have lost their jobs in the past year, while others said they are no longer getting the help they received under the previous government.

Four families who spoke to Amu said that aid distributed to them was totally inadequate.

“During the republic, I served in the government for 10 years and was disabled on duty. I am unemployed now and I have not received any help from any organization,” said Sardar Khan, a Kabul resident.

Rukhsar, another Kabul resident who came from Kunduz, criticized authorities for the “unjust” distribution of aid to needy families and said they are living a difficult life.

“Over the past year, a big number of people have lost their jobs and now all are in a bad financial situation and want to receive humanitarian aid from the international community,” said Rukhsar.

“I live with my son… He is a drug addict and has eight children and we have not received any help from aid organizations,” said Khanum Gul, another Kabul resident.

Earlier this month, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said that more than $1 billion in aid has been delivered over the past year to Afghanistan.

At the same time, the Taliban-controlled central bank has also announced that it received $40 million in cash from the United Nations and transferred it to one of the commercial banks.

Earlier, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced that more than half of the Afghan population is in need of humanitarian aid and assistance.

According to UNHCR, 24.4 million people in Afghanistan are facing severe food insecurity and need humanitarian aid and support.