IDPs: Peace is spurred by economic initiatives

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Internally-displaced people (IDPs), living in a miserable situation, are praying for lasting peace and stability in the country.

At the same time, they want the caretaker government to prioritise improving the country’s economic situation.

Thousands of families have been displaced from their native areas by war and insecurity. Most of them are deprived of even elemental necessities of life.

The Shidaee district of western Herat province hosts dozens of families who have been displaced from Badghis, Farah and Ghor provinces as a result of war. They are currently living in tents, braving subzero temperatures.

Lal Mohammad Arbab, displaced to Shidaee district five months ago, is living with a family of eight in a tent — deprived of basic facilities.

“We don’t have enough water and bread. We fetch drinking water from a local mosque. Given bread by donors and businessmen, we are afraid our children may die from extreme cold,” he said.

Arbab recalled: “It was war that brought us here. Thank God, the situation is stable here. There are no longer reports of explosions and suicide attacks in the country.

“It will be good if the government paves the way for our return home. On our own, we cannot afford to pay the fare,” he added.

While praying for lasting peace and prosperity in Afghanistan, he called on the government to make the launch of economic programmes a priority

Arbab believed durable peace in the country and an end to domestic and social violence would create a stable financial situation for all Afghans.

Malika is another person displaced to the area along with her disabled husband and three children. “A year ago, my husband’s leg was amputated. Since there was war in our area, we were forced to come here.”

This woman viewed war as the main cause of her family’s misery, because her husband lost his leg as a result of a bomb explosion. “My request to the people is not to support war and work for the progress of the country.”

Malika and other displaced people urged the government to ensure their return to native areas because none of them had money to pay taxi fares.

sa/mud

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