RASC News Agency: Reports from Herat province in the western region of Afghanistan reveal that in the remote areas of this province, heightened poverty and severe economic challenges have led to instances of children succumbing to malnutrition. Hamid, a resident of Herat, conveyed to RASC News Agency on Sunday, December 17,that the upsurge in poverty and unemployment has ensnared all segments of society, particularly the lower echelons of the country. He lamented that his son has endured malnutrition for an extended period, and his health has not seen improvement, deprived of proper nutrition for weeks and months, impairing his ability to articulate.
Hamid underscores that poverty and unemployment make life untenable for the lower strata of society, compelling them to endure such circumstances until they face the loss of their children. He urged, “I implore the Taliban leaders to take a moment to scrutinize the challenges confronting people in these dire economic conditions.” Meanwhile, Ehsan, another resident of Herat, informed RASC News Agency that as per reports, some individuals resort to selling their children due to severe economic hardships. The speaker attributed the primary reason for the sale of their children to the absence of a conducive economy in their lives. He added that if the family’s breadwinner lacks daily income, compounded by the escalating poverty and unemployment nationwide, people may plunge into malnutrition and other adversities.
Ghafoor Herawi, a civil activist in Herat, noted to RASC News Agency that in comparison to Herat, people in provinces like Ghor, Badghis, Farah, Nimroz, etc., are grappling with the direst economic situations. He emphasized that malnutrition has become a prevalent issue in Ghor province over recent years, presenting a myriad of challenges for its residents. According to him, “If the rulers of Afghanistan, whether Taliban or others, do not earnestly address this problem, one after another, families will be forced to lose their children due to mounting poverty and unemployment.” In this context, Khalil Aram, a medical professional in Herat, asserted to RASC, “Malnutrition is regarded as a malady demanding earnest attention for improvement.”
He advocated that families with malnourished children promptly relocate them to healthcare centers to enhance their health. These statements emanate from the residents of Herat province as economic problems, poverty, and unemployment intensify day by day. It is noteworthy that several years ago, in a significant number of families in Ghor province, adverse economic conditions led to their children falling victim to malnutrition, resulting in losses.
