The Bayat Foundation distributed a large consignment of aid to hundreds of needy families in Bamiyan province this week as the organization’s winter aid campaign continues.

The city of Bamiyan, famous for its ancient Buddhas, is home to thousands of poverty-stricken people.

With the onset of winter and the lack of proper housing in the province, life for the locals has become extremely difficult.

However, this week’s consignment of aid from the Bayat Foundation was welcomed with open arms.

Foundation officials say the donations include flour, rice and oil, which were distributed to those in need after a comprehensive needs assessment was carried out.

“The Bayat Foundation’s assistance campaign is carried out every year in times of crisis, especially in winter. Now we have reached Bamiyan. The aid included flour, rice and oil and distributed to in-need people,” said Haji Mohammad Ismail, deputy head of the Bayat Foundation.

Recipients of the aid welcomed the help provided and said the food parcels have come at the right time.

“We are grateful to the Bayat Foundation, we need the help and received it,” said Zainab, a resident of Bamiyan province.

“We are grateful to Bayat Foundation for helping us this cold winter,” said Nadira, another resident.

“The Bayat Foundation helped us and we are glad, and hope they continue with their campaign,” said Mohammad Hussain, another resident.

The foundation has for the past two months been distributing essential food items to desperate families across the country in a bid to help stave off starvation amid an ever-worsening humanitarian crisis.