Nangarhar nomads deprived of Covid-19 aid, awareness

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Nomads, locally known as Kuchis, in eastern Nangarhar province say they have not been extended public awareness programs about Covid-19 pandemic and deprived of aid during the first wave of the virus.

They say they have no access to health and educational facilities and their livestock is under threat of total loss as large areas of pastures have been grabbed by powerful figures.

People from all walks of life have received aid during the first wave of coronavirus, but neither the government nor any charities helped them, the Kuchis grumble.

Juma Gul Sultankhel, a nomad, told Pajhwok Afghan News that many nomads contracted coronavirus because they were not aware how to protect themselves. The nomads also did not receive the aid specified for poor people, he said.

He added most of nomads were uneducated and didn’t know how to protect themselves from coronavirus and they believed it was a common disease.

Gul Zaman, another nomad, claimed many nomads had lost their lives because of the government’s carelessness.

Nik Mohammad Arman, in charge of nomads affairs in Nangarhar, acknowledged the Kuchis neither received aid from Covid-19 fund nor from any other organization.

He said serious attention should be paid to nomads during the second wave of coronavirus and they should be assisted and made aware of the disease.

More than 8,000 nomad families are living in Nangarhar and many have reduced their livestock due to lack of places for grazing.

sa/ma

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