KABUL: More than 160 people have died from cold in Afghanistan this month in worst winter in more than decade, authorities said as residents described being unable to afford fuel to heat homes in temperatures well below freezing. “162 people have died due to cold weather since January 10 until now,” Reuters News Agency quoted Shafiullah Rahimi, spokesperson for Minister of Disaster Management as saying. About 84 of deaths had taken place in last week.

Coldest winter in 15 years, which has seen temperatures dip as low as -34 degrees Celsius has hit Afghanistan in middle of severe economic crisis.

Many aid groups have partially suspended operations in recent weeks due to Taliban administration ruling that most female NGO workers could not work, leaving agencies unable to operate many programmes in country.

In snowy field in west of Afghan capital, children rummaged through rubbish looking for plastic to burn to help their families, unable to afford wood or coal.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 27 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.