Are Over Nine Million People in Afghanistan Facing Acute Food Insecurity?
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Synopsis
The ongoing crisis in Afghanistan has reached alarming levels, with over nine million people facing acute food insecurity. Urgent actions are required to address the escalating malnutrition threatening vulnerable families and children as winter approaches. This report delves into the challenges and the critical need for humanitarian support.
Key Takeaways
- Over nine million Afghans face acute food insecurity.
- Severe malnutrition among children and mothers is at record levels.
- The eastern provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar are the most affected.
- Urgent funding is required to prevent catastrophic hunger.
- The ongoing crisis is worsened by lack of access to remote regions.
Kabul, Oct 2 (NationPress) The United Nations reports that over nine million individuals in Afghanistan are grappling with acute food insecurity, while escalating malnutrition is endangering both children and vulnerable families nationwide, as disclosed by local media on Thursday.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has indicated that the recent earthquake has further exacerbated an already critical food security and nutrition crisis in Afghanistan. In a report published on Thursday, the WFP revealed that more than nine million people are facing acute food insecurity, with alarming levels of severe malnutrition among children and mothers, according to Afghan news agency Khaama Press.
The report highlighted that the eastern region of Afghanistan, particularly the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar, has been hit the hardest. These areas were already experiencing severe malnutrition prior to the earthquakes, and conditions have now deteriorated significantly.
The repatriation of Afghan nationals from Pakistan has further strained limited humanitarian resources, aggravating the situation for both displaced individuals and host communities.
To date, the WFP has delivered emergency food assistance to over 58,000 people in the provinces of Kunar, Laghman, and Nangarhar. However, the agency cautioned that numerous remote mountainous areas remain inaccessible due to challenging terrain, inadequate roads, and weak communication systems.
The agency has stated that funding shortages are critically limiting its capacity to respond. With current resources, aid can only reach fewer than one million people each month, and there is a funding gap of approximately USD 622 million for the upcoming six months. Humanitarian experts have warned that the most vulnerable groups, particularly women and children in quake-affected regions, face the risk of catastrophic hunger if urgent funding is not secured.
Last month, the WFP raised alarms about the sharp increase in hunger levels in Afghanistan and called for immediate financial support to facilitate aid delivery before winter isolates vulnerable communities across the country. On September 18, the WFP stressed the necessity of urgent funding to provide food before winter cuts off remote villages, leaving families without essential supplies.
Rania Dagash Kamara, the WFP's Deputy Executive Director, emphasized that needs remain "vast and immediate," warning that millions more Afghans could slip into extreme hunger in the coming months if new resources are not allocated.
The crisis has been aggravated by the decision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to halt cash assistance programs nationwide after September 9, following restrictions imposed on female staff.
Point of View
It is imperative to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, where the plight of millions facing food insecurity cannot be ignored. The situation demands immediate attention and support from both local and international communities to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable populations.
NationPress
02/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current food insecurity situation in Afghanistan?
Over nine million people in Afghanistan are facing acute food insecurity, exacerbated by recent earthquakes and ongoing malnutrition.
Which regions are most affected by food insecurity?
The provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar in eastern Afghanistan are among the hardest hit by food insecurity and malnutrition.
What is the role of the World Food Programme in Afghanistan?
The World Food Programme is providing emergency food assistance to those affected, but funding shortages are limiting their capacity to help more people.
Why is urgent funding necessary?
Urgent funding is needed to deliver food aid before winter cuts off access to remote villages, risking catastrophic levels of hunger.
How has the UNHCR's decision impacted the crisis?
The UNHCR's decision to suspend cash assistance programs has further strained the humanitarian response to the crisis in Afghanistan.
