Afghanistan: seeing families through the harsh winter

11-11-2008 Photo Collection

The worst drought in a decade, soaring food prices and relentless insecurity could force thousands of Afghans from their homes this winter in search of food and work. The ICRC and Afghan Red Crescent Society are working hard to meet the needs of 280,000 people in the northern and north-western provinces.

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Mohammed Ali (35), seen here in October 2008, selling tea cups and coffee mugs from a roadside stall in central Kabul.

Ali lost one leg to a mine and the other in a rocket attack in his home province of Wardok, south-west of Kabul. With an 18-month small business loan from the ICRC, Ali is able to maintain his business as a disabled man and thereby support his family. Nonetheless, life is a struggle as he earns on average just 1.20 USD per day. As they are particularly vulnerable, Ali and his family receive supplementary food rations from the ICRC once every three months.

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