The situation at Kabul Airport is dire. On August 30, rockets were fired as US troops were racing to complete their withdrawal from Afghanistan and help evacuate allies under the threat of ISIS group attacks. US President Joe Biden set a deadline to bring back all US forces from Afghanistan, as he closes his nation’s longest military conflict which started as a retaliation for the 9/11 attacks. As scores of people throng the gates of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul the cost of essential items, which are bare necessities for survival have become exorbitant. Read on to know more.
Food & Water In Kabul Airport Are Sold At Extremely High Prices
An Afghan man, Fazl-ur-Rehman revealed to Reuters that the cost of water and food at the Kabul airport is shockingly high. He said that the airport is selling water for $40 and a plate of rice for $100. These prices are not in Afghani currency but in dollars. This is truly out of reach for common people from the war-torn country. So according to this report, one bottle of water at Kabul airport will cost a whopping ₹3000 and a bowl of rice will amount to ₹7500. This is an unfortunate scenario of how people are exploited not just for money but for a basic means of survival, through food and water.
Afghan Fazl-ur-Rehman said food and water were sold at exorbitant prices at Kabul airport. ‘One bottle of water is selling for $40 and plate of rice for $100, and not Afghani (currency) but dollars. That is out of reach for common people,’ he said https://t.co/KczQEMm2nB pic.twitter.com/UBmaAQumXP
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 25, 2021
Also Read: Afghanistan Has 3-D Light Projections Of Buddha Statues That Were Destroyed By Taliban
The Situation At Kabul Airport Is Dire
Hiking up prices for basic food and water is inhumane. The country is in distress and in a desperate situation. As Afghans are desperately trying to flee the country and thronging Kabul Airport, there are women, children who need help. A Western diplomat revealed to Reuters that despite security warnings the area around Kabul airport is extremely crowded. In his words, an estimated number of 1500 US visa or passport holders were still trying to enter the airport. Women, children are in terrible condition as the situation in Kabul airport is extremely bad. And now with prices jacked up tremendously, the situation is uncertain.
A large number of Afghans continued to pour into the vicinity of Kabul airport on Thusday(Aug.24th), looking for a chance to flee the country. But escape is not easy. Prices at Kabul's airport are soaring, with a bottle of drinking water selling for $40. pic.twitter.com/cWi6GEJHrj
— Boxun News (@NewsBoxun) August 25, 2021