Drought leaves our animals starving: Nomads in Farah

FARAH CITY (Pajhwok): Nomads in western Farah province say the prolonged drought has left their animals starving and could die if the government and aid giving institutions fail to assist them.

Abdul Rahim, a nomad in Khairabad area of the provincial capital, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “Nomads have problems such as lack of pastures, hay and barley, we want the government to assist nomads because we have been deprived of assistance since last two decades.”

He said due of drought, nomads had to buy food for sheep, something they could not afford.

“Afghanistan’s economy stands on livestock, if we are not helped, we will lose the surviving flocks”, Abdul Rahim added.

Miraqa, another nomad from western Herat province, also said he had 600 sheep, but 400 of them died due to the drought. “If we don’t get help, we will lose the remaining sheep.”

According to Miraqa:  “Deserts no have grass, so we must buy hay for our sheep to save them from dying”.

Head of Animal Health at the Agriculture Department, Jawed Sediqi, said: “Nomads have not been helped in terms of food for their animals, but helped in treatment and vaccination of their animals and we also conveyed their problems to aid giving agencies”.

Sediqi told Pajhwok Afghan News that problems nomads faced due to drought had been shared with the ministry concerned.

“Many organizations have promised feed for animals of nomads in four districts —Juwin, Anardara, Balabuluk and Gulistan”, he added.

In Farah city and districts, up to 80000 nomads live.

hz/ma

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