Published 27 Aug,2021 via Bloomberg Markets - Afghans are at risk of hunger with food supplies dwindling amid ongoing conflict and adverse weather, the United Nations’ World Food Programme warned.
Families are especially vulnerable this year and unable to make basic preparations for winter after being hit by a combination of several droughts, conflict and the socioeconomic impacts of Covid-19, according to Anthea Webb, the WFP’s deputy regional director for Asia and the Pacific. As winter comes, some communities will be cut off completely from markets and the agency will be their only lifeline.
“The situation in Afghanistan bears all the hallmarks of a humanitarian catastrophe,” Webb said in response to questions from Bloomberg News. “Without humanitarian aid, such as WFP food, there will be more hunger and desperation. If food becomes scarce inside the country, people are more likely to leave.”
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Agnieszka de Sousa