Hunger and cold have killed 177 people, most children, over the last four weeks in a refugee camp near Kunduz in northern Afghanistan, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported today.
Two months ago, UNICEF warned that 100,000 children risk dying from cold and hunger this winter, in addition to the 300,000 children who die each year in Afghanistan.
According to the IOM, some 2,800 families who had taken refuge at the Baghe Sherkat camp were given help until mid-october when the Taliban occupied IOM offices, banned local staff from providing aid and prevented the delivery of supplies.
Deliveries were briefly reinstated between November 6th and 11th, before being stopped again.
"As a result of this ban, thousands of blankets, winter clothes and boots could not be distributed," said the IOM spokesperson in Geneva, Mr Jean-Philippe Chauzy.
IOM staff were able to enter the Baghe Sherkat camp, near Kunduz, yesterday after being prevented from doing so since November 11th by the Taliban.
An IOM employee who visited the camp described conditions there as "miserable".
An IOM convoy carrying over 15,000 items of clothing for the refugees arrived at Kunduz today.
AFP