IRIN
AFGHANISTAN: Khuda Bakhesh, Afghanistan: "We are hungry because of
   floods and drought"
22 June 2008


NILI, 22 June 2008 (IRIN) - Khuda Bakhesh is a poor farmer in Daikundi 
Province in central Afghanistan. Bakhesh has been severely affected by 
recurrent natural disasters. Heavy snowfalls in the winter of 2007 
damaged his almond and fig trees, floods destroyed his fields in the 
spring of 2008 and his hopes for a harvest this summer have been dashed 
by drought. Bakhesh told IRIN his story:

"Last year heavy snow damaged our almond trees, fig trees and harmed our 
vineyards. The trees were broken under piles of snow. We did our best to 
revive some of them in the spring, but floods destroyed everything. Our 
wheat fields were also washed away by floods. The flood damage was worse 
than the snow and we lost many things.

"My sons and I made a lot of effort and worked day and night to 
re-cultivate our fields and revive our livelihood after the floods. But 
now drought has dried everything. All [water] wells and culverts have 
dried up and there is very little water to drink let alone for 
agriculture.

"My sons have gone to Iran to work and help us survive. I have no news 
of them and don't know if they have found jobs. I have to feed all the 
female members of my family in Daikundi.

"We don't eat three times a day because we don't have enough food. Often 
we eat either in the morning or midday and then eat again the next day. 
We eat whatever is available; sometimes only a piece of bread with 
water.

"Such is life and it's what God has given us. We're hungry and poor 
because of floods and drought. These are divine scourges and we cannot 
stop them.

"My daughter is sick and I have brought her to the hospital for 
treatment. Her prescriptions are very expensive and I had to borrow 
money from a shopkeeper I know. I already owe 250,000 Afghanis 
[US$5,000] to people and cannot pay them back. I'll have to repay my 
debts and the only way for me is to sell my small piece of land."


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International                  web: www.cidi.org
     Disaster Information             listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                    guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Central Asia                  www.cidi.org/humanitarian/hsr/centralasia