Rising Fuel Prices Deepen Winter Hardship in Afghanistan’s Badghis

Rising Fuel Prices Deepen Winter Hardship in Afghanistan’s Badghis
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Residents of Afghanistan’s western Badghis province say soaring fuel prices with the arrival of winter have made heating unaffordable for many families, worsening already difficult living conditions, Amu TV reported. Local residents describe a sharp increase in the cost of basic energy supplies at a time when incomes remain low and employment opportunities scarce.

In the provincial capital, Qala-e-Naw, petrol is selling at around 70 Afghanis per litre, while liquefied gas costs roughly 60 Afghanis per kilogram, according to residents. They say these prices exceed the financial capacity of many households, including small transport operators who depend on fuel to earn daily wages.

Several residents said the combination of high prices and weak purchasing power has forced families to rely on scrap materials for cooking and heating. Others reported having no access to wood, coal, gas or fuel oil, leaving homes inadequately heated as temperatures continue to fall during the winter season. Badghis is known for long and severe winters and is among Afghanistan’s poorest provinces.

Residents say prolonged economic decline, unemployment and reduced humanitarian assistance have intensified seasonal hardships. International agencies note that Afghanistan’s economy has shrunk significantly since 2021, with banking restrictions, aid reductions and job losses disproportionately affecting rural and remote communities.