Dozens of residents in a settlement near Herat, western Afghanistan, sold one of their kidneys to survive worsening poverty and hunger following the Taliban's return to power in 2021, according to 2022 reports. The area, later dubbed the "one-kidney village," drew international attention as families resorted to organ sales to pay debts, buy food, or cover medical costs amid collapsing livelihoods and dwindling aid.

Interviews with residents at the time revealed that multiple family members underwent kidney removal surgeries, often receiving as little as $1,500 per organ, while patients from other regions traveled to Herat for transplants. Afghan law prohibits organ trading, but enforcement is minimal, allowing an underground market to flourish during the economic crisis.

Doctors and aid workers reported a sharp rise in such procedures beginning in 2022, coinciding with widespread job losses and aid reductions. Many donors said they experienced lasting health issues, including chronic pain and reduced work capacity, with some expressing regret but emphasizing they had no alternatives.

The phenomenon underscored the depth of Afghanistan's humanitarian emergency, where economic breakdown and isolation have forced civilians into extreme survival measures. Humanitarian agencies continue to monitor health and food security conditions in Herat as aid access remains constrained under Taliban rule.