One of the challenges ahead of Afghan people is a harsh winter. Every year many lose their lives due to cruel freezing weather and avalanches. The current winter is also not moving ahead without victims. Rather it is going to be one of the harsh winters with high losses. There were reports about avalanches in Badakhshan province this year, washed away whatever on their ways. People have lost their livestock, houses and family members.

Moreover, reports from central parts of the country which accommodates generally poor people are much more horrifying. Governor of Daikundi province, Mr. Ali Urozgani, has said few days ago that avalanches have killed eleven people and injured five others in various areas of the province. He added that two women and eight children also had lost their lives due to freezing weather.

On the other part, the governor of Bamyan, Ms. Habiba Sarabi, talking with journalist early this week, said that around 15 people had lost lives due to avalanches and harsh weather. Previously too Bamyan officials claimed that around 30 thousand families in 240 villages of the province face drinking water shortage. They alarmed that if the problem remained unsolved, a humanitarian disaster would have taken place.

With the recent losses, thirty six deaths are reported yet in the central provinces. Meanwhile, it should be considered that ways to the centers are closed due to large snow fall. And major parts of these provinces have no mobile service coverage. So, it is hard to find out exactly the number of people killed by harsh weather and avalanches.

Central provinces are about to two thousand above the sea level and heavy snow fall is one the critical challenges for residents. Wide spread poverty, lack of roads and highways, health centers and many other public services have doubled the challenges. People complain about lack of public services, saying that Kabul government holds biased approach towards them.

Realistically observing, unfortunately due public services have not devolved to these provinces. Basic services like schools, health centers, roads etc limp behind in comparison to other provinces. Same is the case with investments and projects. Every year, central provinces record the highest death toll during winter. Yet no critical attention has been paid nor by Afghan government neither by foreign allies.

Hope the recent high death tolls of women and children incites sympathy, and Afghan and foreign allies take due steps to resolve their problems.