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CNN Saturday Morning News

Refugee Crisis Grows in Afghanistan

Aired November 24, 2001 - 09:38   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: If only an answer for thousands of fleeing refugees could come that quickly, tired, homeless, and hungry masses of refugees are leaving their homes, headed for an uncertain future.

Reporting from a camp near the western Afghan city of Herat, here's CNN's Kasra Naji.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KASRA NAJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Waiting for help, for anything, but mostly tents, blankets, and food. They are among more than 300,000 in Herat alone who have come to camps like this, fleeing their homes in neighboring provinces, ravaged by the severe drought of the past four years.

Some food is getting through, courtesy of the international community, but not enough, judging by a stroll in the market here. Dried red plums go for about five cents a kilo. You have to soften it with a little water before you can eat it.

Food is a major treat for kids here. Many are malnourished, and their condition is getting worse.

The drought has caused havoc in Afghanistan, the extent of it becoming clear only now that journalists can travel to areas like Herat. This man says he simply couldn't feed his family any more.

More are arriving every day. Fifty thousand are heading towards Herat from the southwestern provinces, according to officials here. These refugees have been spending several nights here in the open, waiting for some shelter and food. Winter is here, and fuel (inaudible).

This woman says she and her three children spent the night in the cold rain.

(on camera): Tonight, many of these refugees will spend another night in the open. Few of them have warm clothes, and many of them have not eaten much for days. Food and other aid is far too slow in getting here. Afghanistan needs a lot of help, and it needs it now.

Kasra Naji, CNN, Herat, western Afghanistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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