KABUL: Kabul’s flea markets are full of the belongings that determined Afghans have offered at rock-bottom costs to fund their escape from Taliban rule, or simply to pay for meals.
Plates, glasses, and kitchen home equipment are piled excessive on makeshift tables on the outside bazaars, alongside Nineties tv units and previous Singer stitching machines, whereas rolled-up carpets are propped up on second-hand sofas and beds.
For the reason that Taliban stormed to energy in mid-August, Afghans say job alternatives have dried up and they’re solely allowed to withdraw $200 per week from their financial institution accounts, that means money is briefly provide.
“We do not have something to eat, we’re poor and we’re compelled to promote these items,” mentioned Mohammad Ehsan, who lives in certainly one of Kabul’s hillside settlements and got here to the bazaar lugging two blankets to promote.
Ehsan mentioned he used to work as a labourer, however constructing tasks have been cancelled or placed on maintain.
“Wealthy individuals had been in Kabul, however now everyone has escaped,” he advised AFP.
He’s certainly one of many Afghans who come to the flea markets to promote what they’ll spare on to consumers, carrying their possessions on their backs or rolling them alongside on rickety avenue carts.
He has lived by “change after change” in Afghanistan, and says he’s cautious of the Taliban’s claims of peace and prosperity, as primary meals costs skyrocket — like they did when the Taliban had been final in energy from 1996 to 2001.
“You may’t consider any of them,” Ehsan mentioned.
Impoverished Afghanistan was already dealing with a drought, meals shortages, and massive stress on its well being service brought on by the Covid-19 outbreak earlier than the Taliban took management, sparking western nations to clamp down on support that props up the Afghan financial system.
The United Nations Growth Programme warned final week that the share of individuals dwelling beneath the poverty line may rise from 72 p.c to 97 p.c by the center of subsequent 12 months, with out speedy motion.
– ‘Helpless and poor’ –
Additional into the bazaar, individuals work to restore electrical items similar to stereos, followers and washing machines earlier than promoting them on.
Teenage boys press carrot or pomegranate juice on cell stalls, whereas others weave by the crowds with bananas, potatoes and eggs in wheelbarrows.
Ragmen — the shopkeepers who purchase and promote used items — mentioned they’ve by no means been so busy.
Mostafa, talking from his transport container that serves as his store, advised AFP that many individuals he had purchased from had been travelling to the borders in hope of leaving the nation.
“Up to now, we’d purchase stuff from one or two households in per week. Now, in case you have a giant store you possibly can have the contents of 30 households directly. Individuals are helpless and poor,” he advised AFP.
“They promote their stuff that’s price $6,000 for about $2,000,” he added.
Mostafa, who mentioned he has no plans to depart, mentioned consumers at his store had been usually those that had fled rural provinces for the security of the capital when the Taliban launched their sweeping offensive.
One other ragman, who didn’t need to be named for concern of his security, advised AFP he had solely arrange his stall in current weeks.
“I used to be a coach within the army for 13 years,” he mentioned, including he lives in concern of the Taliban as a consequence.
“Sadly, our society obtained turned the wrong way up, so we had been compelled to do different issues.
“I grew to become a ragman — we had no different possibility,” he mentioned.