ASIA/AFGHANISTAN - Nearly 40 children died from last month’s cold temperatures

Kabul (Agenzia Fides) - According to the Ministry of Health of Afghanistan, last month about 40 children died because of the cold weather in different parts of the country. 24 of them lost their lives in the refugee camp in Kabul, while the rest of the victims were recorded in the mountainous areas, such as Badakhshan and Goor, respectively located in northern and central Afghanistan. Deaths caused by the weather are quite common in the troubled Asian country, mainly due to the lack of infrastructure and basic services, such as the poor quality of housing, often consisting of simple tents, in the case of the most disadvantaged. Much of the Afghan territory is crossed by the great mountain range of 'Hindu Kush and during winter extreme temperaturs are registered. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 20/2/2012)