As Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis deepens, its young people step up

At Mandawi, one of Kabul’s largest markets, three young people buy food and other basic necessities for poor and politically vulnerable families. The colleagues are part of a network that helps families at risk with everything from food to housing. (Their names are not being used for their safety.)

Many of the beneficiaries of the network lost their jobs because they worked for the previous government. They now live in hiding from the Taliban. One of the volunteers received assistance from the program and decided to join the work herself. She says it keeps her too busy to think about her own problems.

Prices for food, gas, and firewood have risen dramatically since U.S. forces left Afghanistan and the Taliban took over in August 2021. Poverty and hunger are growing even in the cities where the middle class has traditionally been large.