The World Food Program (WFP) has reported that from May to October of the current year, 12.4 million Afghans will face severe food insecurity.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in releasing this report, emphasized that nearly 2.5 million of these individuals require immediate food assistance.
According to the report, out of 3.9 million people in Afghanistan, 2.8 million are children under five years old suffering from severe malnutrition.
Meanwhile, Abdul Malik, a 45-year-old from Tirinkot city in Uruzgan province, who is the head of a family of nine, told TOLOnews that he is facing many economic challenges and cannot provide more than one meal a day for his family.
Abdul Malik told TOLOnews: “God has given us patience; if we find something good, we eat it; otherwise, we use dry bread and tea.”
Some experts believe that international aid can be effective in the short term, but they emphasize investing in entrepreneurial projects to reduce poverty in the long run.
Abdul Zahoor Modaber, an expert on economic issues, said: “No matter how much foreign aid flows into Afghanistan, given the severe economic conditions we experience, it can be effective in the short term.”
The Ministry of Economy attributes the challenges of food insecurity in Afghanistan to imposed restrictions, the freezing of the country’s reserves, and climate change.
Abdul Rahman Habib, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy, added: “The economic situation has shown some positive movement compared to before, but due to climate changes, imposed restrictions, the freezing of the country’s reserves, and the lack of economic infrastructure, unemployment and food insecurity still affect our people. An effective response and fight against food insecurity through household economic strengthening programs, which create jobs and increase the purchasing power of families, remain a priority for us.”
Previously, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed concern about the reduction of humanitarian aid budgets aimed at helping the needy in Afghanistan. It stated that although four months remain until the end of 2024, the international community has only provided 25% of the requested budget. Currently, one in every two Afghans lives in poverty.