**Title: Afghanistan’s Severe Drought Forces Families into Desperation**
In the arid corners of southwestern Afghanistan, villages are being deserted as families flee in search of basic necessities like food and water. The once lush landscapes have turned parched, leaving behind a trail of despair and desperation.
In Chakhansur district, near the border with Iran, Noor Ali and his family are among the few remaining residents out of the 40 families that once called the village home. With no means to leave, they are surviving on a dwindling supply of flour bought with a loan, hoping for a miracle to bring water back to their land.
The situation is dire in rural areas, where the majority of Afghanistan’s population resides. Families are trapped in cycles of debt, forced to make impossible choices to survive. Rahmatullah Anwari borrowed money to feed his family and pay for his father’s medical treatment, only to have a lender demand his 8-year-old daughter in exchange for part of the loan.
The desperation is palpable, with some resorting to extreme measures to repay debts. Mohammed Khan Musazai’s wife, Nazdana, sold her kidney to settle part of their debt, leaving a scar on her stomach as a painful reminder of their struggles.
Former special forces soldier Khanjar Kuchai, now scavenging for wood to survive, reflects on the exodus of his fellow villagers to Iran in search of water. The lack of rain has left communities without basic necessities like running water, leading to illness and unsanitary conditions.
The impact of the drought is felt deeply in schools like Zooradin High School, where students fall ill due to poor hygiene and lack of clean water. Mothers like Mondo have lost children to malnutrition, with infants suffering from hunger and lack of nourishment.
With three-quarters of the country facing severe drought conditions, Afghanistan is in the grip of a humanitarian crisis. Despite memories of a once green and abundant land, residents can only hope for the return of water to revive their barren fields.
As the Taliban authorities and international aid fall short, the people of Afghanistan cling to the belief that one day, the water will come back, bringing life and prosperity to their parched land.
