Freezing temperatures kill 78 people in Afghanistan

Kabul: At least 78 people have died in a wave of freezing temperatures sweeping Afghanistan, deepening the country's humanitarian crisis. 

Taliban officials said Thursday that 78 people have lost their lives in just over a week during Afghanistan's harsh winter. 

As per Taliban Authorities, the deaths have been occurring since January 10. 

“This winter is by far the coldest in recent years,” Mohammad Nasim Muradi, the head of Afghanistan’s meteorology office said. 

In a separate statement Thursday, the Taliban ordered relevant authorities and government officials to help affected families.

“We are deeply saddened by that our countrymen have lost their lives in some provinces due to the severe cold weather,” said the statement.

“More than 75,000 livestock also have died as a result of the chill,” added officials.  

According to images posted on social media, several central and northern provinces saw roads blocked by heavy snowfall.

Forecasts say temperatures will plummet as low as -35 C (-31 F) across parts of the country this weekend. 

The Taliban takeover in August 2021 sent Afghanistan’s economy into a tailspin and transformed the country, driving millions into poverty and hunger. 

Foreign aid stopped almost overnight. Sanctions on Taliban rulers, a halt on bank transfers and frozen billions in Afghanistan’s currency reserves have already restricted access to global institutions and the outside money that supported the country’s aid-dependent economy before the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces.

Humanitarian groups are providing winterization support to families, including heating, cash for fuel and warm clothes, but distributions have been severely impacted by the de facto authorities ban on female NGO aid workers. 

In November, a top official from the Red Cross, Martin Schuepp, said more Afghans will struggle for survival as living conditions deteriorate in the year ahead.