Farida got new winter shoes

Right now, the needs in Afghanistan are overwhelming. Aid organisations are struggling to deliver life-saving help. But, thankfully, amid biting wind, snow and cold, Farida, 3, is able to put on warm socks and winter shoes.

Preparing to distribute emergency kits in Kabul. Photo: Gianluca Galli/NRC

There is snow in the air. The temperature is down to zero degrees. The tents are surrounded by grey slush. But Farida is outside proudly showing off her new winter boots to the photographer.

In December and January, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) conducted a major relief operation across the country to help internally displaced families get through the icy winter. Close to 100,000 men, women and children received assistance.

NRC supports refugees and displaced people in over 30 countries around the world, including Afghanistan. Support our work today.

Preparing to distribute emergency kits in Kabul. Photo: Gianluca Galli/NRC

From left: Najiba, 8, Farida, 3, and Amanullah, 12, are warming themselves under a blanket that was provided by NRC.

Neither Najiba, 8, nor the other children in the family are attending school.

Farida lives with her mother Bibi Sakina, 38, and five siblings in the settlement of Charqala-e Waziraabad in Kabul. There are many such settlements in the capital and other major cities in the war-torn country.

The family is originally from the city of Kunduz, but war forced them to flee two years ago. Their home now is built from wooden planks, cardboard, pieces of torn carpet and tarpaulin. The floor is covered with simple mats, and when it rains the water seeps in. There is no electric power. Cooking takes place on a simple oven outdoors.

The family is struggling to stay warm during the freezing winter and to make enough money to survive. None of the children are attending school.

“Sometimes we don’t have any food to cook for a couple of days, so we have to survive on tea and bread. Prices of food and fuel for heating and cooking has almost doubled since the takeover.”
Bibi Sakina

Neither Najiba, 8, nor the other children in the family are attending school.

Farida and her older sister Najiba, 8, and the brother Amanullah, 12, are warming themselves under a blanket. A plastic container filled with hot water is placed under the blankets to keep them warm. The blankets were provided by NRC.

Bibi’s oldest son, 12, is out working. He collects garbage for recycling. He only earns around USD 5-6 per month.

We meet Bibi Sakina and her family a few weeks after they received winter assistance from NRC.

“Everything was very useful, especially the boots, socks, blankets and the pressure cooker,” she says.

NRC’s winterisation package

We have been providing families in Afghanistan with winter kits to help keep them warm and healthy during the freezing winter months.

These kits include:

Warm clothing – We provide warm clothing such as sweaters, winter boots, gloves, hats and socks to all the family members.
Hygiene materials – We distribute hygiene items such as soap, jerrycans, buckets, mugs, clothes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, and bags.
Other essential items that will help families get through the winter, such as gas cylinders, solar lamps, thermal blankets, plastic sheeting, cooking pots, teapots, cutlery, plates, and bowls.

NRC supports refugees and displaced people in over 30 countries around the world, including Afghanistan. Support our work today.

The UN is currently requesting member states for a record amount to help Afghans in need, both in Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries. But these same member states are currently blocking help from arriving, as they have frozen Afghan bank accounts.

“As snow falls heavily on Kabul, we’re seeing increasing numbers of people slide into destitution,” says our Secretary General, Jan Egeland. “Many displaced families are shielding from the freezing cold in makeshift shelters with almost nothing to eat.

Bibi Sakina has followed the situation about the sanctions and freezing of Afghan funds on the radio.

“I request the world to help us and encourage the international community to release the money that belongs to Afghanistan so that we can have jobs and opportunities again,” she says.