HERAT, Afghanistan—Doctors said on Sunday they have amputated the fingers or toes of more than 90 frostbite victims in western Afghanistan as one of the worst winters in living memory engulfs the country.
The freezing weather has killed more than 750 people and nearly 230,000 cattle since winter set in mid-December last year. The western provinces of Herat and Badghis have been particularly badly hit.
"The victims of frostbite are increasing every day and most of them have to have their fingers or toes amputated," Dr. Barakatullah Mohammadi told Reuters at a hospital in Herat.
"The victims are men, women and children, some of them are in a critical condition," he said. Some 40 people were hospitalised on Saturday, he said, and most of them needed amputation.
Abdul Rahman had to have the toes of his left foot cut off.
"I was caught in a blizzard for seven hours before someone rescued me," he said. "There are many people in my village who are frostbitten but cannot afford to come to the hospital."
Many key roads linking outlying districts with provincial capitals have been blocked due to the heavy snowfall, hindering deliveries of supplies. The harsh winter has pushed up prices of food and fuel.
The World Food Programme last month appealed for additional food assistance for 2.55 million Afghans until the next harvest in June.
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