Amidst poverty, unemployment, drought, and the destruction of civilian homes over the two decades of Taliban conflict, thousands have been displaced to various areas of Balkh province, particularly the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. According to the Taliban reports, 25,000 individuals from different regions of the province and neighboring provinces have been uprooted and most of them are residing in seven makeshift camps. These displaced individuals now endure harsh winters and scorching summers under tents, often with empty stomachs. They appeal to both the Taliban and international aid organizations for attention, urging efforts to facilitate the reconstruction of their homes and the establishment of livelihoods. While the UN Refugee Agency in the north has announced plans to provide shelter for 40 families, the displaced people consider this insufficient for their thousands. It should be noted that some of these displaced individuals express a desire to return to their homes as conflicts subside. Still, the destruction inflicted by the Taliban renders their return to normal life unfeasible.
In recent years, hundreds of families, due to the conflict and fear of Taliban harassment, were compelled to abandon their homes, seeking refuge in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif and its outskirts from various regions of Balkh province and even neighboring provinces. With the rise of the Taliban, most of these displaced families have been unable to return to their areas, as their homes have been destroyed during the clashes. Additionally, due to drought and unemployment, hundreds of other families have left their regions during the two years of Taliban rule, now living under tents in migrant camps on the outskirts of Mazar-i-Sharif City.
These families now lament poverty, unemployment, and lack of shelter, asserting they are enduring harsh economic conditions. They emphasize enduring months and years in adverse conditions, living under tents in hot weather. However, according to the displaced, their problems are not being adequately addressed by the ruling group of Taliban.
Amir Khan, the main inhabitant of Dawlatabad district in Balkh province, has experienced three years of painful living conditions under tents, enduring both the winter cold and summer heat. He told the Hasht-e Subh Daily, “Three years ago, heavy fighting took place in our area between government forces and the Taliban. There wasn’t a single day without war. Fearing for our lives, we abandoned our homes with our children and came to Mazar-e-Sharif City. We stayed with different relatives for a few nights. Finding no other solution, we eventually came here, set up tents, and tried to make a life for ourselves. Our houses have also been destroyed in the battles. We don’t have the means to rebuild them and return to them. We’re close to dying of hunger here. There’s no assistance, no relief. Only god is our hope. There’s no work for us to do. We’re bewildered.”
Shah Mohammad also became displaced from Zari district in Balkh province eight months ago and is living under a tent in a camp southwest of Mazar-i-Sharif City. In an interview with the Hasht-e Subh Daily, he said, “We’re seven people without enough food. We had nothing to eat. We thought we’d go to Mazar-e-Sharif City so we wouldn’t die from the cold and hunger. It was winter when we came to this camp under tents. At first, there was hardly anything left and frostbite almost got us. Then the hot weather came to haunt us. Believe me, we came here hoping for help, but no help reached us. A few times, traders brought flour, oil, and rice to help us and show their kindness. However, the relief agencies haven’t given us any assistance. We’re poor people sitting here, hoping for whatever God wills.”
Meanwhile, the Press Office of the Ministry of Repatriation and Refugees (MORR) under Taliban control has released a press release stating that Lachin Hasnawa, the head of the UNHCR in the Northern Zone of Afghanistan, announced during a meeting with Taliban officials in Balkh province that the second phase of the carpet-weaving factory and the establishment of shelters for 40 displaced families in the Qalin Bafan neighborhood of Mazar-i-Sharif City have commenced. The issue of providing shelter for displaced families in Balkh province is being raised by the head of the UNHCR at a time when, with each passing day, the number of displaced individuals in Balkh province is increasing due to factors such as drought, rising unemployment rates, the forced return of migrants from neighboring countries, and numerous other challenges.
Sohail Sardari (pseudonym), a university professor, believes that short-term and limited programs by international organizations in Afghanistan do not alleviate the suffering of these displaced individuals. He stated, “Our perception is that either international organizations lack the will to assist those in need or there are constraints imposed by the Taliban that hinder their operations. If not, then as you see, how they mock our hungry and barefoot people. Amidst the thousands of families who are currently searching for a morsel of bread, fallen under scorching heat and winter cold in tents, and crying out for help, the UN Refugee Agency comes and provides shelter for 40 families. Is this justice? The Afghan people truly need help, and if international organizations are genuinely working for the people, then they should implement comprehensive and foundational programs to create jobs for citizens and pull them out from under these burning tents.”
Simultaneously, Taliban authorities in the Directorate of Refugees of Balkh province acknowledge that more than 25,000 displaced families from various areas of Balkh province and neighboring provinces are currently living in seven camps, including Abdojana Camp, Alborzian Camp, Jafaria Camp, Unique Camp, and Hazrat-e Bilal Camp.
It should be noted that with the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, thousands of citizens have become unemployed and displaced, leading to an increase in poverty over the past two years. Additionally, recurring droughts have forced people to leave their areas due to the lack of drinkable water. This is occurring while the homes of several citizens have been destroyed due to two decades of Taliban conflict, and they lack the means to rebuild.
