Burning Plastic to Keep Warm in Afghanistan
For many of us, our eyes are glued to social media and news outlets for the latest on Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis in the middle of an extremely harsh winter. We see images of children in Kabul collecting garbage and plastic to take home to burn. An indescribable pain grasps at our hearts. This was preventable. Families huddle in makeshift tents under plastic sheets – even burning their possessions to keep warm. We hear stories of families whose children have either frozen to death or fallen victim to pneumonia and other illnesses. Winter temperatures in Afghanistan plummet to as low as -12.1 degrees Celsius.
Afghanistan's Deadly Air
During the winter, many families resort to burning plastic or other harmful materials to keep warm, creating some of the world's most dangerous air. Kabul is often ranked in the top 10 worst cities for pollution globally. A thick cloud of smog engulfs the city; indoor pollution is just as prevalent as outdoor pollution. This can lead to immune deficiencies, lung cancer, bronchitis, and cardiovascular disease, while also contributing to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions. It's a continuous cycle. According to the World Health Organization, it kills 54,000 Afghans a year. Most of those killed are children under five.
What Samsoor Watan Has Done about It
In February 2022, Samsoor Watan partnered with The Smile Givers to help families in need receive a cleaner heating alternative. We identified families in need and provided filtered coal, which is much less damaging than generic coal, and of course plastic and rubber.
We worked to distribute to as many families as possible; they were kept warm for the remainder of winter, but also protected from inhaling hazardous air filled with toxins, whether it is indoor or outdoor air. It's time to end the cycle of pollution with healthier heating materials. The fundraising compaign, with the support of generous donors, and the hard work of our volunteers, paved the way to help the most vulnerable to survive the cold and harsh wintersof Kabul.
Thank you to our partner @thesmilegivers and all of our donors for making this possible. Our hope by next winter is the phase out of coal and make organic heating material alternatives accessible for families. We want to make a difference with access to better heating systems using electricity or even renewable energy. Not only to save lives from the deadly air pollution both indoor and outdoor but to reduce #airpollution in cities like #Kabul.
Our investment ultimately is in the people of our beloved #Afghanistan & this will show in all campaigns and solutions we bring forward with our partners.
