Afghanistan: Extreme cold spell leads to more hardship
Afghanistan is witnessing a dramatic cold snap. The humanitarian situation is already catastrophic, but now the icy temperatures are putting an additional strain on people and claiming lives.
Frosty times in Kabul
According to official figures, more than 160 people died in January alone due to the extreme weather conditions.
Burning plastic instead of firewood
A boy transports bags of plastic scraps to be burned in the extreme sub-zero temperatures. Firewood is scarce; the economic situation is disastrous due to sanctions against the militant Islamist Taliban. Their Ministry of Disaster Management speaks of more than 70,000 dead livestock, which are an important source of food and income for many Afghans.
Keeping warm
Playing cricket is one way to stay warm. Harsh winters are not uncommon in Afghanistan, but temperatures as low as -33 degrees Celsius (-27 degrees Fahrenheit) measured in Ghor province are rare. According to meteorologists, the mercury could drop even further in the coming days.
Seeking warmth
Ashour Ali and his children try to warm themselves under a blanket in their house in Kabul. Getting international aid to Afghanistan is proving difficult. Three million children alone are at risk of malnutrition. Many organizations have suspended their work on the ground after the Taliban banned Afghan women from working for NGOs.
Lack of help
In many places, the water pipes are frozen. Many families do not even have heating and can only dress warmly and keep warm at night with thick blankets. In light of the cold snap, German officials say it is time for the Taliban to reconsider its recent crackdowns.