Afghan Families Forced To Sell Children, Organs So That They Can Buy Food: UN Food Head

Entire families in Afghanistan have been forced to sell their kidneys so they can buy food, as the country plunges deeper into a humanitarian crisis. One family - including three brothers and two sisters - all underwent surgery and sold their organs for around Rs 1,15,000 each in order to feed other members of the family.

For those who have already sold their kidneys to feed their starving families, many are resorting to selling their own children to survive because they have 'nothing left to sell', as Afghanistan's economy teeters on the brink of collapse.

"My 3-year-old son died of hunger"

One husband and wife, who have sold their kidneys to feed their eight children and wish to remain anonymous, are now considering selling one of the youngsters because they fear they will starve otherwise.

AP

Overcome with emotion, the 25-year-old mother, from a village outside the city of Herat, told Sky News: "About six months ago, my three-year-old son died of hunger. I can't see them all lose their lives... at least this way, someone else will feed them."

"Have nothing left to sell"

Her husband, who has not decided which of their eight children to sell, said they have no choice and their situation is so desperate he would sell the infants for less than the price of his kidney. "We have nothing left to sell," the father said. "We have to sell our children now and I'm prepared to do this for even 20,000 Afghanis (Rs 15,000). I can't go to sleep every night with them crying that they are hungry."

The family said they have no choice, and are among scores of destitute families in Afghanistan being forced to sell their children to survive. Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August last year, the country's economy is on the brink of collapse and international humanitarian aid has been put on hold - and the effects are deeply felt by families who cannot buy basic goods such as food.

AP

In the village outside Herat, which is close to the border with Iran, dozens of women, many of whom were still teenagers, have donated their kidneys to provide food for their children and families. Many of the villagers have sold their organs to buyers across the border in Iran in an effort to repay their debts.

"We have no choice"

"We have no choice," one teenage mother, who was operated on a month ago, said as she revealed her red scar on her midriff. "We do this to feed our children."

The village elder, who has urged families not to sell their children, said: "I urge the world, please don't leave us alone. Stop this tragedy of people selling their children or part of their bodies. Afghanistan needs help."

Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan last year, the country has seen the value of its currency collapse even though hard notes are in short supply, while prices for basic goods have soared due to shortages, with the UN warning that food could run dangerously low soon.

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The international community froze Afghanistan's assets abroad and halted funding, unwilling to work with a Taliban government given its reputation for brutality during its previous rule 20 years ago.

UN's warning

It has led to the chief of the UN to warn that Afghanistan is facing a 'make-or-break moment' as he appealed to countries to inject cash back into the Afghan economy, which before the Taliban takeover in August was dependent on international aid that accounted for 75% of state spending.

The effects of the economic collapse could prove lethal for the country where a third of the population survives on less than $2 (Rs 150) per day. It has meant an increasing number of families are turning to the illegal practice of selling their children under the age of 15.

AFP/ Getty

The desperation of millions is clear as more and more people face hunger, with some 3.2 million children under 5 years old facing acute malnutrition, according to the U.N.

Charles, World Vision's national director for Afghanistan, said humanitarian aid funds are desperately needed. "I'm happy to see the pledges are made,' she said. But the pledges "shouldn't stay as promises, they have to be seen as reality on the ground."

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