Embattled city gets its first aid

– Aid trickled into Ghazni yesterday, residents and relief workers said, days after security forces pushed Taliban militants from the eastern Afghan city following nearly a week of heavy fighting.

Residents suffered food and water shortages, along with rising prices for basic provisions after insurgents overran the city, torching buildings and destroying infrastructure in a battle that killed hundreds of people.

“We need this aid to survive,” said Gul Badshah, one of many in Ghazni who made their way to distribution centres yesterday. He said his home had been destroyed by two rockets.

Siraj Ahmad, another resident, said he was collecting aid for a neighbour whose husband – a police officer – and young son were killed by the Taliban during the fighting.

Rice, oil, beans and tea were handed out after the first humanitarian convoy arrived in the Ghazni on Saturday, said Afghan Red Crescent regional head Mohammad Esmail.

The Red Crescent hoped to reach 800 families yesterday, followed by another 1 200 today. “The people who receive this aid are those who have either lost their loved ones or houses during the fighting in Ghazni,” Esmail said.

The UN estimates at least 200 civilians died in Ghazni before Afghan forces backed by US airstrikes finally pushed Taliban fighters from the provincial capital on Wednesday. –