SAN DIEGO. No other country in the last two decades has endured war as long as Afghanistan, which has resulted in inflation and lack of income. That’s a bad combination. This post-war crisis is fueled by severe food shortages and means to keep warm. The dominoes fell in late August when the Biden government abandoned a legacy of U.S. troops giving freedom to Afghans and turned them over to Taliban terrorist rule.

American troops provided food, school supplies, clothing, and blankets to those Afghans in need.  Over the years, they, with Afghan allies, helped them get through harsh winters and hard times. Now, that caring help inside the country is banished. Yet, the harsh winters remain. Afghans, including veterans and allies, forced to hide from Taliban reprisals, find it difficult to get their hands on needed supplies.

The hasty U.S. withdrawal created dire circumstances for a lot of Afghans.

And not just the poor. Doctors, nurses, former military, former government officials, and people with jobs who no longer have them face rising costs in order to survive. Ask U.S. troops who fought there how cold Afghanistan can get in the winter.

“Kabul’s streets were largely empty as shop owners, government employees, and workers stayed indoors to seek shelter from the freezing weather,” Geo News reported on December 16, adding,

Not all Afghans have a shelter. Some get kicked out of their shelters from villages and travel to live in parks around Kabul, says a unnamed source (for security reasons).

“The cold snap has added to Afghanistan’s woes, with the United Nations and other organizations warning millions will need food and shelter from the country’s harsh winter.”

One of the greatest strengths of America is her people and their giving nature. 

Former Army Infantry veteran Ben Owen, President of Black Rifle Company, put out a bid to match a 5k donation to send aid to 400 families of ten. Owen serves as Executive Officer of the organization, Flanders Fields, whose mission is helping those who fought in America’s wars still facing hardship.

“Flanders Fields is continually supporting and honoring our veteran brothers and sisters who were injured during their service, face extreme challenges after their service, or simply need support from another member. The will to help and the fight within doesn’t stop when service is completed. The same can be said for all the Afghan nationals who served alongside us—their dedication to us, and our commitment to them doesn’t end when a tour of duty does.”

Owen says, “$400 feeds a family of ten for a month.”

So even a small donation helps a lot.

To donate to Flanders Fields: https://flandersfields.org/collections/donate

We don’t have it so bad.

Although America is going through a period of its own inflation, most Americans aren’t in hiding for their lives. Taliban-ruled Afghanistan is under a news/information lockdown. It’s dangerous to speak out yet the reality of starvation and surviving the elements drives people to try.

The following information is recently acquired through a direct source from Afghanistan. The situational accounts/costs of living are based on a small collection of data that reflects a general widespread geographic area.

To start: 1 American Dollar (USD)  = 102.62 Afghan Afghani (AFN official conversion code).

(Conversions for AFN/USD using fx-rate).

Formerly, a doctor made 16000 AFN ($155.92 USD) and a nurse made 12000 AFN  ($116.94 USD). In the future a doctor and nurse will make only 9000 AFN or $87.70 USD per month. The inside report says they have not received a paycheck for 5 months.

Patients can’t afford going to modern hospitals so they must go to government hospitals. They don’t pay a doctor’s fee but they have to pay for everything else, including an IV and  medication purchased for a high price. Almost every hospital has their own medication prices which may vary from hospital to hospital. Both private or government hospitals are lacking medication and supplies.

Basic costs of living for Afghans. (Costs vary depending on source and date).

Rent basic living:

2 bedroom:  5000 to 8000 AFN ($48.72-$77.96 USD)
3 bedroom:  10000 to 15000 AFN ($97.45-$146.17 USD)
4 bedroom:  15000 to 20000 AFN ($146.17-$194.90 USD)

A used car (no papers) costs 4000 AFN ($38.98 USD)

Gasoline:  96 AFN ($0.94 USD) has doubled to 192 AFN ($1.87 USD) per liter.

Dry milk:  600 AFN ($5.85 USD) per liter
Regular Milk:  100 AFN ($0.97 USD) per liter

Flour: One bag 2500 AFN ($24.36 USD)

Ordinary shoes:  1000 AFN ($9.74 USD)
Winter Jacket starting at:  500/5000 AFN ($4.87- $48.72 USD)
Blanket:  1000 AFN ($9.74 USD)

Work: Few jobs at the moment, even if you find one that will not feed one person. Companies have closed. Many have to depend on families and friends to send money to support them.

School: Since it’s winter, no school for 3 months.  Boys go to school but only girls from 1-6 grades can go. The school will teach 3 religion classes and nothing else .

**Information is based on one (limited) report.

You can see how a little money can help a lot.

Hope must stay alive.

There are no solid numbers of Americans, Afghan veterans, and U.S. allies still trapped there. Other American groups and individuals are out there helping, too. As pleas come in for help to get people out, the hard reality is – it’s next to impossible to evacuate all those left behind at this time. Yet for the diligent – it can happen…

Last Sunday morning, Project Dynamo, a non-profit organization of current and former military members, evacuated forty-seven American citizens and lawful permanent residents of the U.S. to New York City from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, reported Fox13 Tampa Bay.

Project Dynamo sent a Tampa group of volunteers, claiming it is “the first group of Americans to put boots on the ground and conduct a rescue operation in Afghanistan since the U.S. government abandoned the country of Afghanistan in August,” says Fox13 Tampa Bay.

Project Dynamo: https://www.projectdynamo.org/

Tis the season and Americans have a compelling reason. So why not this Christmas trade some treats for heat and food for those Afghans facing hard times after 20 years of war they had no choice in.

To donate to Flanders Fields: https://flandersfields.org/collections/donate

###