3,500 needy families in Herat have received food donations and coal to heat their homes from an Afghan aid organization called the Ahmad Shah Faqiri Charity, the organization said.

Officials of the organization said they have helped families in other provinces as well.

“3,500 needy families who have a card with them will receive help from our side,” said Ahmad Shah Faqiri, head of the charity foundation.

Needy people expressed concern about the increase in poverty and unemployment.

Khadijah is a woman receiving aid who lost her husband last year and has come with her two children to receive help from this foundation.

She said because of economic challenges she cannot take care of her children.

“There is nothing in our home to eat since I lost my husband; I am faced with economic challenges,” said Khadijah.

There are thousands of women and men who came for food to last them a few days. They said that because of unemployment the poverty has increased.

“Due to poverty and economic challenges, I cannot sleep until midnight,” said Abdulghafor, a needy man. 

“My daughter is sick, and we have no money for her treatment and there is nothing to eat,” said Shakila, a needy woman.  

The World Food Program recently said that more than 90 percent of people in Afghanistan do not have access to enough food.