Badghis IDPs urge stepped-up efforts for peace

QALA-I-NAW (Pajhwok): Internally displaced people (IDPs) in northwestern Badghis province have called for more effort to ensure durable peace and stability in the country.

These IDPs are going through difficult days of their life away from homes and relatives. Decades of war have forced thousands of families to leave their homes and migrate to relatively peaceful places.

Abdul Hameed, 65, was forced from his home a year back due to conflict and insecurity. Struggling economically, his only son serving in the police force during the previous government was killed. Hailing from the Qarchaqi locality of Qadis district,

Hameed has been living in a leaking tent, with rainwater getting through it. He told Pajhwok: “For the past two days, I haven’t eaten anything.

“Drinking water is not available to us. My family is living in the tent in this cold weather. I am not capable of working. The government should address our problems.”

His eyes welled up as he narrated the story of losing his son and being in deep economic trouble:

“I lost my only son to war. He was everything to me. I hope peace will last forever now that fighting has ended. All people should live in peace.”

Abdul Hameed, shell-shocked by the loss of his son and hard hit by after-effects of war, raised his hands and prayed for lasting peace in the country.

He asked the government to work hard for sustained peace and launch employment and development schemes for the people.

Hameed believed people could achieve peace and stability when they became one nation, refrained from violence and acted according to the teachings of Islam.

Thousands of other people like Hameed have suffered as a result of conflict and forced into migrating to other places.

Ghulam Ali is another IDP is living in this camp along with his family. He recalled: “We were forced to leave our home in Qadis district, where we are living in a tent in this cold weather.”

He complained all IDP were suffering from the cold weather and most children and elder people had fallen sick.

Ali viewed fighting as main source of all unfortunate things that happened to them. “We were leading comfortable life in Qadis. But fighting snatched everything from us and we had no option but to migrate here.

“I always dream of peace and stability in the country and prayed for reconciliation. I want the world not to isolate the people of Afghanistan and continue supporting them.”

nh/mud

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