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WFP Predicts severe Food
Shortage in Afghanistan
Around 1.5-2 million more people are likely to be hit by food
insecurity this autumn as a result of the ongoing drought in
some parts of Afghanistan, the UN World Food Programme
said.
World Food Programme (WFP) said that the foot trouble would be even
doubled as 7 million already suffer from food shortage despite the
estimated figure.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) has reported a
failure of the rain-fed wheat crop, which accounts for about 55% of the
total domestic wheat production.
Afghanistan produces 4.5 million tons of wheat in a normal year and around
one million tonnes are imported from abroad.
"WFP had originally planned to feed more than seven million Afghans this
year, but currently has the resources to reach less than four million," WFP
Spokesman Assadullah Azhari told IRIN in Kabul.
"We are preparing to fight the drought by every means available," MAIL
Spokesman Majidullha Qarar said.
An assessment is under way in drought-affected areas of the north,
northeast, the west and the central highlands to determine exactly how
many people will require food assistance and for how long, according to
MAIL officials.
In addition to wheat crops, other cereals have also been affected by
drought by 48 percent, MAIL said.
Shortage in Afghanistan
Around 1.5-2 million more people are likely to be hit by food
insecurity this autumn as a result of the ongoing drought in
some parts of Afghanistan, the UN World Food Programme
said.
World Food Programme (WFP) said that the foot trouble would be even
doubled as 7 million already suffer from food shortage despite the
estimated figure.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) has reported a
failure of the rain-fed wheat crop, which accounts for about 55% of the
total domestic wheat production.
Afghanistan produces 4.5 million tons of wheat in a normal year and around
one million tonnes are imported from abroad.
"WFP had originally planned to feed more than seven million Afghans this
year, but currently has the resources to reach less than four million," WFP
Spokesman Assadullah Azhari told IRIN in Kabul.
"We are preparing to fight the drought by every means available," MAIL
Spokesman Majidullha Qarar said.
An assessment is under way in drought-affected areas of the north,
northeast, the west and the central highlands to determine exactly how
many people will require food assistance and for how long, according to
MAIL officials.
In addition to wheat crops, other cereals have also been affected by
drought by 48 percent, MAIL said.
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