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| Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan Intensifies as Winter Approaches |
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THU, OCT 18, 2001
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As US-led strikes on Afghanistan continue for the 12th consecutive day, the Red Cross has expressed concern for the millions of displaced Afghans who rely on humanitarian aid to survive. Only a few aid convoys have crossed the border in recent days, and temperatures are starting to plummet as winter approaches.
Ten more medical clinics have been set up by the Red Cross along the Pakistan-Afghan border in anticipation of large numbers of refugees fleeing the cities in the wake of the US attacks. The Red Cross now has 28 clinics operating in the North West Frontier Province each capable of treating 10,000 refugees. But this isn't enough to help the more than 7 million Afghans who rely solely on humanitarian aid to survive. The picture worsens as aid agencies estimate 2,000 refugees a day are crossing illegally into Pakistan.
Andre Neacsu, International Red Cross Spokesman, said, "We are very concerned about what is going on inside Afghanistan. We hear that there are population movements, that people are internally displaced, they leave the towns to find shelter in the rural areas. We are six weeks from the onset of the winter and very little food supply and medical supply reaches Afghanistan so far."
There are millions of Afghan refugees already living in Pakistan after fleeing years of war and drought. Although safe, life isn't easy and many are desparate to return home.
An Afghan refugee said, "We want muslim and non-muslim countries to help us set up a new government for Afghnaistan. We are sick of the fighting. Our children are dying. Every country should see how bad our life is. We have no water, no money and our life is very poor."
And the encroaching winter months and shortage of aid deliveries will only increase their misery.
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