Afghanistan:70 die from cold amidst freezing winter

In Afghanistan, at least 70 people have died from cold amidst a freezing winter that swept the country. Afghanistan's State Ministry for Disasters Management said that over 70 thousand livestock have also died due to the harsh winter, reported Tolo News. According to the report, people have termed the freezing weather conditions as unprecedented while blaming poverty and unemployment for the rise in casualties. The Afghans are finding it difficult to get a job due to freezing winters making it difficult for them to take care of their families. The Islamic Emirate in a statement expressed its condolences over the death of a number of people due to the extreme cold across the country.

At Least 70 People Died as Cold Sweeps Afghanistan#TOLOnewshttps://t.co/qIfTYRPEof

— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) January 18, 2023

According to representatives of the State Ministry for Disaster Management, they have provided food and non-food relief packages to at least 5,000 families in different parts of the country in the last one month.The country is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis, with more than half of the population of 38 million facing food shortages. The western sanctions and the Taliban administration’s international isolation have worsened the situation.  Many NGOs still working in Afghanistan suspended their operations in protest over a Taliban government order banning women from working with humanitarian groups, except in the health sector. The Taliban has also banned girls from attending schools and universities.