Millions in Afghanistan Staring at Death, Starvation Amid Harsh Winter, US Sanctions | Farsnews Agency

(FNA)- The crippling sanctions imposed on Afghanistan by the US government and its allies are taking a heavy toll, exposing millions of crisis-stricken people to the vagaries of freezing winter.

Eloi Fillion, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Afghanistan, on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the unfolding situation as winter chill sets in, presstv reported.

“Heavy snow in Kabul today. Temperature might drop to -9 this week,” Fillion tweeted, adding that he was hearing “stories of people burning furniture, shoes or tyres to keep warm”.

“Due to economic collapse, thousands of Afghans are left with nothing to cope with increasing challenges,” he hastened to add.

The United Nations estimates that nearly 23 million Afghans – about 55 percent of the population – face extreme levels of hunger, with nearly nine million at risk of famine as winter sets in.

In winter, most of the provinces in Afghanistan become harshly cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing levels.