Thousands of displaced families in Kabul in desperate need

KABUL: Thousands of families who have been displaced because of the conflict and other reasons are cut off from larger family support networks and are struggling to find shelter and take care of other basic needs.

In one instance, at least five families are living in one home in Kabul. The families have all been displaced from Kunduz due to the ongoing conflict in the northern province. The families said they are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Ziba, a resident of Kunduz, said she has lost many of her children in recent years in fighting in Kunduz, and this is the fourth time that she has been displaced due to conflict. “We have not seen a happy day. We have always witnessed clashes,” Ziba said. Mohammad Hasan, another displaced person, said his home was destroyed in clashes and it happened after they left.

“We were caught between two sides. The Taliban was firing from one side and government forces from the other side,” said Mohammad Hasan. Displaced children will not celebrate a normal, festive Eid this year.

“What will our future be if peace does not come? It is a question for everyone. What will our future be? You will achieve something if you get educated. What will you do if you do not get educated?” said Sona, a displaced person.

“We don’t know when Eid is and when it is a normal day,” said Mahfooza, a displaced person. UN figures indicate that over 270,000 families have been displaced in recent months following the rise in violence, especially in the north.