As winter sets in, stove makers in Khak-e Afghan district of Zabul province say their sales have significantly dropped compared to previous years. Despite colder temperatures, many residents cannot afford wood-burning stoves or fuel to heat their homes.
Enayatullah, a tinsmith in the district’s marketplace, said he usually builds and sells stoves ahead of winter, but demand has fallen sharply this season.
“Winter has arrived, but people can’t afford the basic tools to keep their homes warm,” he said. “Business is not good at all.”
Residents of Khak-e Afghan cite extreme poverty as the main reason behind their inability to buy wood, coal or other heating materials.
“We can’t afford charcoal, firewood, or anything else,” said Raz Mohammad, a resident. “We go to the market hoping to buy what we need, but return home empty-handed.”
“There’s no work — people are unemployed and don’t have money,” added Abdul Sattar, another resident. “The situation is really bad.”
Khak-e Afghan district, located in south Zabul, is one of the province’s most impoverished areas. A lack of job opportunities and rising poverty remain the primary challenges for its residents.
