Afghan Woman’s Survival Struggle Five Years After Taliban’s Kabul Takeover

POLICY WIRE — Kabul, Afghanistan — In the hills above Kabul, Sima navigates a daily struggle for survival five years after the Taliban regained control of the city. She combs through cemeteries and abandoned areas, searching for discarded plastic, scrap, and anything of value. Items that can be sold are gathered and carried away, while others are taken home to be used as fuel for cooking or to stave off the winter cold.

Sima’s plight underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, where many citizens face extreme poverty and scarcity in the wake of political upheaval. Her story is a stark reminder of the challenges that persist for countless individuals striving to make ends meet in a volatile environment.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)