Drought funding forces UN food agency to cut rations in Afghanistan

world food programwfp) sought immediate funding for its operations in the country, where families have been grappling with crisis after crisis, including rising hunger, since the 2021 Taliban takeover.

The agency said in an alert that catastrophic hunger could be widespread across Afghanistan, and that unless humanitarian aid continues, hundreds and thousands of people will need assistance to survive.

‘Half of what they want’

due to paucity of funds, At least 40 lakh people will get only half of what they need To be received in March. SS food reserves are exhausted before the next harvest in May, it is traditionally Toughest time of the year for rural familiesWFP said.

The cuts come as already vulnerable Afghans are still reeling from another severe winter. sub-zero temperatures combined with the economic crisis drove millions into despairthe agency said.

wfp $93 million needed urgently To help 13 million people in April and $800 million for the next six months. Although donors had given record amounts in 2022, the WFP had been warning since November last year that funds would run out as the recession season reaches its peak in March and April.

‘Last Lifeline’

is on the country Biggest threat of famine in a quarter of a century, half of all households are in a crisis situation to survive. For the millions of people in Afghanistan, WFP’s food aid is now the “last lifeline”,

From August 2022, 9 out of 10 Afghan households can’t afford enough food – Highest in the world. Nearly 20 million Afghans do not know where their next meal will come from, and Six million of them are one step away from famine,

The level of moderate acute malnutrition is the highest ever recorded in the country. two-thirds of the population More than 28 million people – in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023almost three times as compared to 2021.

In response, WFP massively increased its aid across Afghanistan. in 2022, Thank you for the generous money. Agency 23 million people supporteddistribution of more than 10 lakh metric tonnes of food grains and $326 million in cash or vouchers to help families survive.