News Analysis: Harsh winter adds to Afghans' economic woes

Kabul, Dec 23 : The worsening economy and the continuing threat by militant groups have dampened the Afghan spirit to fight back and rebuild their country, particularly now that they are experiencing one of their worst winters.

"Another harsh winter is coming and I don't have enough money to buy even firewood after buying foodstuff at skyrocketing prices, " said Matiullah, 35, who, like many Afghans, goes only by one name.

"The free market economy has frustrated the people. It is not working in Afghanistan. The sellers have increased the price of basic items such as firewood and natural gas due to the recent devaluation of Afghanis against foreign currencies. The government has failed to check prices especially during this harsh winter," Matiullah, father of five, said.

The economy of the war-torn country has improved significantly since the fall of Taliban regime in late 2001, mainly as a result of the multi-billion dollars fund donated to the embattled country by the international community.

However, Afghanistan still remains one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world and has remained dependent on foreign aid.

"It is really a burden for all Afghans particularly people living in suburban areas to buy materials for making their houses warm in the harsh winter. At the same time we have to buy foodstuffs and keep some money for medicines and hospital expanses, " Matiullah said, adding that the dusty weather and pollution have caused his children and wife to suffer from respiratory diseases throughout the winter.

"Business is bad. The high dollar is hurting firewood business this year. Winter is the only season for us to sell wood. The costumers frequently come here in the market. They negotiate the price but leave without buying wood or just buying a small amount, " a wood seller, Mohammad Usman, said.

According to the figures released by Da Afghanistan Bank, the Afghan central bank, one U.S. dollar was traded for 52.15 Afghanis, while one U.S. dollar equaled 48.71 Afghanis in Dec. 12 last year.

The lowest exchange rate for Afghanis since the beginning of the year was about 55.50 late last month.

The price of one metric ton of firewood is about 12,900 Afghanis, or about 247 U.S. dollars, in Kabul markets.

Although Taliban regime had been driven out of power in late 2001 and open fighting is finished, the restoration of a durable peace is still a dream for many Afghans as anti-government militants continue to carry out suicide attacks and roadside bombings that kill innocent civilians.

In Kabul, some 80 percent of the population lives in unplanned settlements where poor sanitation and lack of access to potable water is common and nearly all of the buildings have no central heating system.

Winter temperatures particularly in central and northern parts in Afghanistan could fall to around -26C.

"There is advancement in heating system around the world. We are still using the metallic stoves producing too much smoke. We know that they cause weather pollution and we are losing greeneries by cutting trees but we cannot afford to buy natural gas," Matiullah said.

The price of one kilogram of natural gas is 75 Afghanis against 45 nearly one month ago, he said.

Although there are no official statistics, it is believed that some nine million Afghans live under poverty line and rely on only one U.S. dollar income daily.

On top of this, there has been a 60 percent increase in the prices of food items in Afghanistan since 2007, according to officials. 

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SA/EN