Thousands of Afghans have fled their homes amid a fierce Taliban offensive in the country's north. Many of those displaced have escaped to the northern province of Balkh, where they face a life of misery and squalor in makeshift refugee camps and shelters.
Afghan Refugees

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The parents of 14-year-old Negina, from Sar-e Pol Province, were killed in a militant attack. She lives with her grandmother at the Balkh camp.

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Mohammad Yusuf, a former soldier from Kunduz Province, has lived at the camp for several months. Kunduz has been the center of a major Taliban offensive.

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Khalid, 8, fled with his family from their home in Samangan Province.

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Some of the more fortunate displaced Afghans have taken jobs at brick kilns in Balkh to help squeeze out a living for themselves and their families.