Pictures from Hazarajat: Taliban seige of Hazarajat for the past several years and a ban on UN relief efforts  has resulted in a serious mulnutrion and starvation death.

News:

• News confirms Taliban's  killing of  660 innocent civilians in Yakawlang last month - Jan 30, 2001
• Yakawlang Liberated by Hazara Forces of Hizb Wahdat - Jan 22, 2001 - see details below
• Forced Blood Drawing and Organ Removal of Innocent Civilians in Mazar Sharif
• Statement on the Brutal Killing of UN Employees
• Report on Drought Conditions in Hazarajat
• Progress Report on food supply situation from Dara Suf, Hazarajat - Aug 7, 2000
• UN Press Briefings

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News confirms Taliban's  killing of 660 innocent civilians in Yakawlang last month - Jan 30, 2001

Yakawlang, Jan 30: News from Yakawlang confirms that Taliban has killed 660 innocent elders and children in Yakawlang.

Last month when Taliban recaptured Yakawlang, innocent citizen gathered and raised white peace flag and
welcomed Taliban forces. But Taliban forces oped fires on the innocent civilians in  which 660 people were killed which has been previously mentioned by Kofi Anan as well. But It has mentioned that Taliban has killed 100 people of Yakawlang. Among the targeted people, following humanitatian organizations personnel were also shot.

- Shuhada Organization   4 staff
- LEPCO     1 staff
- CCA      2 staff
                                                    
(hazara.net)(posted @ 20:20 CST)


Yakawlang Liberated by Hazara Forces of Hizb Wahdat  - Jan 22, 2001

Yakawlang, Jan 22: Yesterday about 1330 Hrs. (1:30pm) Yakawlang was again liberated in the hand of Hibz Wahdat under leadership of  Mr. Mohaqiq.

According to Hazara sources, over 200 hundred hazaras were massacred by Taliban in the last few weeks.
It is confirmed through our sources that it has been done by the order of Qari Ahmed Ullah of Taliban in Yakawlang. Two hospitals were completely looted - One Shuhada clinic and LEPCO clinic working for Leprosy.

                                                   (hazara.net)(posted @ 16:10 CST.)


Forced Blood Drawing and Organ Removal of Innocent Civilians in Mazar Sharif
Courtesy of  afghan-web.com

Eyewitness accounts confirm that armed Taliban men have forced civilians to donate blood at gunpoint along the Tagab-Nijrab route. Witnesses have stated that the forced blood 'drive' is due to the shortage of blood supply needed for medical treatment of wounded Taliban and Pakistani fighters involved in the renewed summer offensives launched by the Taliban-Pakistani-bin Laden Axis. One woman was reported dead as a result of excessive blood draw. Meanwhile, in Mazar-e-Sharif, Pakistani medical teams working with Taliban have been busy removing vital organs of civilians in Mazar-e-Sharif for the transplant of organs lost by Pakistani and Taliban fighters in the recent offensives and other medically lucrative businesses. It is reported that many civilians have died in the process or organ removals.

The Islamic State of Afghanistan earnestly expects the prompt dispatch of an investigation team to the area to verify and report on the forced blood drawing and organ removal of innocent civilians considered as crimes against humanity in accordance with the Geneva Convention of 1949.



PRESS RELEASE  August 7, 2000
Statement on the Brutal Killing of UN Employees
Courtesy of  afghan-web.com
The Islamic State of Afghanistan strongly condemns the brutal gunning down on Saturday, August 5, 2000 of UN aid workers on the road between Badghis and Heraat Provinces, in the Taliban-occupied western part of Afghanistan, all employees of the Organization of Mine Clearance and Afghan Rehabilitation. This is not the first time the Taliban militia has resorted to such vicious acts. In August 1998, the militia killed two employees of the World Food Programme, Colonel Calo, the military advisor of UNSMA and the diplomatic staff of the Consulate-General of the Islamic Republic of Iran along with a member of the Iranian News Agency IRNA.

The Islamic State of Afghanistan highly anticipates the dispatch of an international investigation team to verify the killing and to bring to justice perpetrators involved in the latest killing rampage.

Relevant Articles: UN Mine Action Program



Report on Drought Conditions in Hazarajat 
UN World Food Program (WFP) Report

Note: This report was received from Dara Suf Hazarajat by Micheal Sample, WFP, August 2000

People of Hazarajat are eating grass( Alfa Alfa) (WFP Afghanistan Report)
DROUGHT has badly affected Hazarajat. People are eating grass since last months. The most affected area in the district of Dara Suf the largest district in Afghanistan.

Report Says:
Mula Abdullah Sarhadi (Taliban Group) the chief military commander of Bamyan province was met on 13 June 2000to grant us permission for food assessment in Dara Suf ( Dara Yousuf) District of Samangan Province. Mr. Sarhadi strongly rejected our request and he added that no permission to Dara Sof including Balkhab and Lal Sar Jangle areas. We went to Yakaulang on the same day and Mr.Sarhadi letter was submitted to Mr.Naiz Mohammad Gardizi, Deputy military Garrison of Yakaulang. After discussion he was convinced to permit WFP (World Food Programme) mission for conducting food security assessment at Dara Suf District.

Meeting with the Shura (local authority), Dara Souf:
WFP mission held a meeting with Local Shura (Authority) of Dara Suf at Hassani, the present district center of Dara Souf 16th June 2000.The president of the Shura welcomed WFP mission and he highlighted the overall households food security situation due to food blockade and drought. He added that majority of the people are eating grass from months and facing starvation death. He further said that the people has no purchasing power due to high price of food in the area. The president of Shura stated that more then 3000 Internal Displaced People (IDP) families from Mazar, Baghlan, Bamyan including DaraSouf displaced families who are residing in very bad condition. He appealed to all the international Humanitarian Organizations particularly UN agencies for Afghanistan to run relief mission for 100,000 children and women who are under the danger of food starvation.

The President stated that if any relief support be committed for this region, Shura is ready to remove the planted mines in the front line to enable the trucks to enter in to the district directly. Also he promised to repair the road if any.

Food security Assessment:
Dara Suf is one of the largest district of Afghanistan and comprises of Hazara, Tajik, and Uzbek nationalities. Its population is approximately 140,000 and bounded by Aibak North, Yakawlang South, Balkhab East, and Do-aba West. Due to limited time and because of large mountains area the mission decided to do a quick rapid assessment from the site. In addition to interview individual on travel direction, we conducted group interview in the following congested and most populated areas. The civilian have been severely affected by drought, for ... applied fighting and huge number of IDPs concentrations in the area. Following are the comprehensive table of group interview in the villages:

Door-To-Door Food Security:

Without prior information at 1900 HRS the mission stopped in the following villages to make a door-to-door survey to see what the people are serving at dinner.

- Dahana Tor village consisited of total 27 houses. We physically checked that out of 27, 20 families had vegetable (grasses or Alfa Alfa) without oil, onion and bread.
- Kota Village, total 20 families out of which 12 were under the same condition as above.
Also, we checked their food stock maximum quantity was than 5 Kg. or none at all. In reply to our inquiries the members said same status for the last few months.

Starvation Death:
The reported starvation death area (Dahan Shorab) was visited on 17 June 2000, total 900 families of nearly 3 villages. The villagers were hardly hit by the war and the people were moved upward valley as Internal Displaced People (IDPs). Recently 400 families returned to their homes having no food no shelter living in destroyed houses and then have started cultivation of their farming land recently. Dr. Yonus of UNOCHA clinic in Hussaini was with us and he distributed WFP BPS for a considerable malnourished children. Also we checked Mr. Abdul Hussain house who was reported that his two children died due to food starvation, the family had no access for food for months and was hunger. We identify his younger son who was severely malnourished. Presume doctor is the only person to confirm such cases but as long as we could say that if  a child eats vegetable continuously for a month without bread milk etc. he /she will be malnourished, sick and having no accessibility to health facility has to die eventually.

FOOD AND ANIMAL MARKET AT HUSSAINI:
Mission visited Hussaini food and animal market on June 16, 2000. Following were the sale and purchasing prices.

Maximum food stock 50 to 60 Seer (wheat, corn and barely) with household assets for sale were available in the market. The cost of one sheep 21Kg in weight was Afg. 600,000. In accordance with market interview the purchasing power was in Kg. not in Seer (7Kg). We interviewed Mr. Raza who had purchased this amount for his 7-member family.
         In the area 3 types local currency existed as follow:
         1        Afs.         Kabuli
         2        Afs.         Dal-Ya = 1/6  Kabuli
         3        Afs.         Dal-Hi  = ½   Kabuli

Logistics:
Dara Suf District is food blockade from all direction for the last 15 months.
Mission observed WFP constructed road in 1997/98 from Bamyan to Dara Suf. Beside it was closed in highland for all traffic due to ground mines, otherwise its condition was good for Kumaz trucks (Russian heavy Truck). The community subject to any aid to the area will repair opposition Shura guranteed that the planted mines will be removed and the road. Following is the mileage upon the specific points.

Presently Hussaini is the temprory centre of the district.

INTERNAL DISPLACED PEOPLE (IDP):
In accordance with the information collected in Bamyan city the mission continued 45 families who recently returned from DaraSuf in Shaidan and Kaghanatoo area of Bamyan District. Also, on the way we physically observed families who were fleeing to Bagmen and Yakawolang.
A huge number of IDP families from Mazar, Northern province and Bamyan were desperately residing in the area ( said to 1500 families). In addition 2500families of DaraSuf District center area who's houses destroyed by war were displaced in mountainous areas. In recent months some of them returned to their homes in Dahan Sohrab area working hard for settlement but having no shelter. Food most of the children were observing malnourished.

HEALTH SITUATION:
In the district level there was only UNOCHA health clinic facilitated with two health staff no medicine nether tools and equipment. Dr Younus stated that measles, diarrhea (dysentery and introgastroce), typhoid, TB and unknown fever are the major diseases in the area. During the past 15 months Polio vaccination has not been implemented by WHO/UNICEF in the district. WFP mission recommended that WHO/UNICEF to extend their services in the health sector and to provide safe drinking water. We Have seen that in many villages the people and animals were drinking water from the same awful rains /spring water reservoirs ( water sample available for Lab. Test).

Recommendation for Food Assistance:
We recommend immediate food emergency relief distribution for 30% of the total population140,000 equal to 1,800 mt wheat ( 3 months ration) plus 30 mt CSB malnourished children for the following reasons.
Drought caused product fall of 90% to 95%  of rain fed wheat
 Irrigation product reduced 70 to 85%  due to drought and war
Livestock reduced 70 to 80% due to distress sale and dried postures
 Food blockade and severe war affected area
 Area of huge number of IDPs accommodation
Acute household insecure facing starvation

FURTHER RECOMMENDATION:
Highest priority strategies for WFP Food for Work (FFW) projects in long term are as follow:

Provision of safe drinking water
Shelter for returnees
Health clinic
School

WHAT YOU CAN DO :
For further information, please send e-mail to montazir@qta.paknet.com.pk
 


The following report was received from Dara Suf, Hazarajat by Micheal , WFP, on 7th August 2000
Progress:
I completed the discussions with Shura in Darra Souf and completed the arrangements for the beneficiary survey and wheat logistics. I have  maintained contact with WFP in Kabul and Yakaolang and so hopefully the wheat is already starting to move. The transporters are on standby here for possibly transferring the wheat from Sare Thal on friday. They have agreed to start work on clearing the obstacles on the road from tomorrow. CCA has agreed the four distribution points and arranged storage facilities plus local elders to liase with them in beneficiary selection. Their four survey teams go into the villages tomorrow to register beneficiaries. Full steam ahead. In the meantime I have started my own assessment work. I interviewed parents of malnourished children in the UNOCHA supported clinic and conducted a survey in Dahane Shorab. Spring fatalities from hunger were horrendous - I think that they were actually higher than we previously reported. We are now in the most plentiful time of year, as fruits have ripened, the barley has been harvested and the wheat harvest is starting. Starvation deaths have stopped for the moment. But malnutrition in children is still widepsread and there is still a nutritional crisis. The key point is that this is a crisis of entitlement. There is a dramatic difference in mortality between land owning and non land owning families -landless laborers account for most of the starvation deaths. And it will happen again. There has been a collapse of the wage rate. The current labor daily wage is Kabuli Afs 6,000 i.e. ten cents, barely enough to buy 350g of wheat. Where laborers are paid in kind they receive between 1kg and 2 kg of wheat. (PS these figures have been checked and confirmed, yes they are dramatically low). The landless are able to do harvest labor etc so that they can eat bread three or four days a week, along side leaves and mulberries. But they cannot possibly stock up to have wheat available for the period after the harvest labor has dried up. The drought is severe in the Lalmi, but the irrigated land on the main valley is giving a fair crop. But the currency anarchy has helped to compound the crisis. The Wahadat currency has collapsed in value, wiping out the value of people's money holdings and exacerbating the entitlement crisis - because of the collapse of value of wages.

We are collecting nutrition data as part of the needs survey - age, weight, height and MUAC data. The first village data have been sent to WFP.

The war is also all to present. There is a desperate need for a proper health facility in the district. The two paramedics in the UNOCHA supported clinic have done an incredibly good job in difficult circumstances. They have been receiving a trickle of war wounded and mine injuries (mines are both civilians and fighters). Taliban have laid AP mines in the areas that people have now resettled (and in the current frontlines). The only facility of any kind accessible is the one we have supported. So I am afraid that mine victims can look forward to nothing better than an amputation done by hacksaw under local anaesthetic. This is totally unacceptable in the 21st century. I hope someone will remind both sides of the ban on AP mines. But we should also do what we can to mobilise proper medical assistance, to enhance what paramedics Younus and Qayyum are doing. Darra Souf has become a centre for pitifully malnourished children and for people with shattered limbs. It is an active theatre of war- the people deserve a lot more than what we are now giving them.

Tomorrow I shall proceed with my Needs Assessment, looking at agriculture and malnutrition. I have suggested to Antonio that he seriously consider a brief visit when the wheat comes up. A visit by a demining team to the area would also be useful, to assess the extent of mining of now inhabited areas. The extent of the remaining malnutrition means that it would be useful to have CSB or other supplementary feeding material in the wheat convoy (about 2 MT?) And we need at least 2 sets of children weighing scales, plus tape measures, to help get better nutrition info.
- CCA  Cooperation Centre for Afghanistan. One of the big Hazara NGO in Hazarajat
- UNOCHA United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs