One of the UK’s leading humanitarian and development charities, Christian Aid, has warned that millions of people are facing severe hunger in Afghanistan after parts of the country witnessed complete harvest failure.
A field survey in 66 villages in the west and northwest of the country has revealed that in the worst affected areas, farmers have lost 100 per cent of their crops after a failure of the main rains last winter and spring.
Christian Aid reports that people are already suffering from the hunger that is driving farmers and agricultural labourers out of the drought-affected areas in search of work.
The hunger is further impacting livestock farmers by forcing them to sell their animals or move them to areas where there is still pasture and water, developments which are exacerbating the existing food shortages, Christian Aid said.
The assessment reported that children, pregnant women, landless families and the elderly are the groups most exposed to the threat of health problems in the face of the current food shortages.
Christian Aid is appealing for money urgently needed to provide drinking water, food, animal fodder and counselling. It will also use the funds raised for longer-term priorities like healthcare and agricultural improvement work.
The charity called on international donors, including the UK government, to pledge money to the emergency drought appeal launched by the UN and Afghan government, which have asked for 76 million dollars.
“This week the world will clearly be remembering the terrible events of Sept 11, 2001 in New York and Washington,” said Christian Aid spokesman, John Davison.
“We would ask them also to remember that five years ago, there was a drought in Afghanistan that threatened the lives of five million people. While much has happened on the international scene over this period, once again we are facing a serious drought threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions in Afghanistan,” he added.