Struggling to Survive: Afghans Face Aid Cuts Amid Crisis

In Afghanistan, aid cuts have left millions in dire straits. Rahimullah, a street vendor, and Sherin Gul, a mother of 12, illustrate the struggle. Both face economic and social hardship, exacerbated by a lack of international support, job losses, and harsh winters.

In the heart of Kabul, Rahimullah tirelessly sells socks from his cart, a meager earning that must feed his family of five. Like many in Afghanistan, he depends on international aid, which has been severely slashed, pushing millions toward a crisis amid a battered economy and natural disasters.

More than 17 million Afghans are experiencing crisis-level hunger, as international aid dwindles, marked by the halting of US programs like the World Food Programme aid, further compounded by Afghanistan's challenging economic and environmental conditions, and the return of millions of refugees under dire circumstances.

Minister of Refugees Abdul Kabir reported 7.1 million Afghan refugees have returned, intensifying resource strain. Sherin Gul's family, dependent on aid, now faces severe hunger. Work is scarce, and the restrictions on women's employment worsen the crisis, with winter adding to their plight.

(With inputs from agencies.)