The World Food Program (WFP) has announced that, due to a lack of funding, it can only provide emergency food aid to 1 million of Afghanistan’s 12 million hungry people.
The organization stated that it needs $617 million to maintain all its food programs through the end of 2024.
On Tuesday, October 8, WFP said in a statement that due to the financial crisis, 1.4 million mothers and children in Afghanistan will be deprived of access to nutritious food aid.
The organization also mentioned that the financial crisis has jeopardized its food aid programs, which began after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021.
WFP highlighted that climate change and environmental crises in many areas of Afghanistan have destroyed the livelihoods of some of the most vulnerable people. The organization noted that recent heavy rains and floods in some villages have caused significant damage to the local people’s ability to sustain themselves.
Additionally, thousands of Afghan families have been forcibly deported from Pakistan and returned to Afghanistan without any resources. These families lack adequate means to provide for their children or secure their livelihoods in the country.
Last week, WFP announced that at least 12 million people in Afghanistan are uncertain about where their next meal will come from.
According to the report, there are currently 4 million infants and pregnant mothers in Afghanistan suffering from malnutrition.
The funding shortage and worsening humanitarian conditions have left millions of people in Afghanistan on the brink of starvation, with a particularly devastating impact on women and children.
The international community’s response to this crisis will be crucial in preventing further deterioration and alleviating widespread hunger.