Hundreds of residents of Bamyan have been living in mountain caves for years due to a lack of proper shelter. These caves have presented numerous challenges, and their living conditions are incredibly dire. They are deprived of any civil rights and human rights privileges.
With the rise of the Taliban government, the reduction of international aid, and the increasing unemployment among Afghans, adverse economic effects have impacted people’s lives. Those most affected are often those without family members working or providing food.
Most cave dwellers lack a source of income and struggle with extreme unemployment. They are disgruntled that not only the government but the world as a whole seems to have forgotten about them.
Begum, a 60-year-old woman, is one of these cave dwellers who has lived with her elderly husband in a cave in Bamyan for over a decade. She recounts that since the arrival of the Taliban government, she lost her job, which she held in an office in Bamyan City.
Begum explains, “My husband is old and unable to work. I used to work in houses and some offices in Bamyan city, but with the Taliban’s arrival, most offices closed down or were restricted, and I became homebound.”
According to her, she hasn’t received any assistance from domestic or foreign aid organizations. Her name has been put on their lists for help a few times, but she hasn’t received any aid yet. Assistance is often distributed to those who have vehicles and connections, leaving out many vulnerable individuals.
She describes life in the caves as problematic, particularly in the summer when dangerous insects like snakes and scorpions inhabit the caves. These insects often bite children and adults, putting their lives in danger. Every year, between 10 to 20 people die from insect bites.
In the winter, the caves become cold and uncomfortable due to snow and rain, leading to illnesses among the residents. They suffer from conditions like chest infections and bone pain.
Begum walks a 30-minute distance daily to fetch clean water for drinking.
On the other hand, officials in Bamyan claim that these cave dwellers don’t even have access to clean water. These families resort to using seawater for drinking purposes.
Meanwhile, government authorities acknowledge these challenges and state that they will distribute land to build cave dwellers’ shelters.
Fatima, a 45-year-old widow, has lived in the caves for about eight years. Economic difficulties and unemployment compound the fundamental challenges of cave dwellers. She explains that she lived in houses in Bamyan City with her husband until he was alive and could work. But circumstances changed, and she now lives in a cave with her three children.
