The Real Afghan People:

Abdul Aziz and his village

"Many of us could die."

Abdul Aziz is 70 years old. He is the mullah (Islamic priest) of a village in the mountains. He calmly explains the situation of the people in his village:

"We have only enough food for one month. When that is finished, we will have to go to the camp. But we don't have any money to hire trucks to take us to the camps, so we will have to walk. It could take between 20 days and one month to get to the camp and we will have to beg for food on the journey. Many of us could die."

A MULLAH is a Moslem teacher of religion, like a priest in other religions.

A CAMP is a place for people who have had to leave their homes (because of a lack or food or because of war). Aid agencies try to provide food and shelter.

Drinking water is a problem in the village too. The springs have dried up. There is one well, but the water in it is bad and causes disease. In the last month, five children have died because they drank the water, and many others are ill.

Abdul Aziz adds:

"If I go to the camp at my age, I don't think I'll ever see my village again. I have lived here all my life. But I will have no choice, I will have to go to the camp if the food is finished here."

That was Abdul Aziz's best hope, but he was speaking before September 11th.

SPRINGS - places where water comes up from the ground