Afghans Flee Drought and Famine

386204 04: Afghan men wait for their names to be called for the distribution of aid rations February 23, 2001 at a refugee camp in Herat, Afghanistan. Refugees fleeing the effects of drought and famine have been arriving at the camps for newly arrived IDP's (internally displaced people) hoping to be registered by an aid agency to receive emergency shelter and rations. The United Nations Office for Afghanistan has estimated 80,000 Afghans have arrived from western Afghan provinces to the Herat camps at the rate of 25 - 50 families per day. Coordination of relief aid has been hampered by frequent disagreements and confusion with the ruling Taliban government. Figures vary from 150 to 450 people dying due to exposure and respiratory illnesses since mid-January, 2001. (Photo by Robert Nickelsberg/Liaison)