What is life like for older people living in crisis in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan is on the brink of humanitarian disaster. The country is suffering its worst drought in almost 30 years, causing crops to fail and raising levels of acute hunger and malnutrition to record levels; more than 8 million people are on the brink of famine. To exacerbate matters, a harsh winter has hit with temperatures reaching as low as -10 °C.
Millions of people have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety and are now living in temporary shelters, urgently requiring food and other essential supplies to meet their basic needs.
Working with our partner in Afghanistan, Humanity and Inclusion, local photographer, Mirwais Amir Akbar, met with some of the older people forced to leave their homes to hear their stories and document the crisis.
Baz Mohammad, 75, is from Qala-e-Naw, north-west Afghanistan, and now lives in Herat. He and his children collect rubbish for a living. He wishes his children could go to school like any other children.
Habibullah, 83, is disabled and, along with eight members of his family, has been displaced from Badghis, northwest Afghanistan, due to war and drought. He is very worried for his family’s future as they have no food, clothing or fuel for winter and he is unable to work due to his disability.
Shir Ahmad, 82, supports 9 family members by buying and selling plastic waste. There is a shortage of food and fuel and basics are getting more expensive. He worries that his situation will get worse as he gets older.
Abdul Hamid, 80, and six members of his family were displaced from Badghis to Herat when they faced war and drought. They have no food, clothing or fuel for the winter. He is very worried for his family’s future and has had to resort to begging to feed them.
We are working with our in-country partner, Humanity and Inclusion, to urgently reach affected older people. They have over 25 years of experience in the region and together we are developing an emergency relief cash assistance that will help older people to buy fuel, food, and other vital relief items they so desperately need. Donate now.
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