Kabul, 3 December 2021 (TDI): The World Food Program urged the countries to step up their support to prevent the worsening of the Afghan situation, on 1 December. The WFP mentioned that Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs have increased. They increased because the 34 provinces are facing a crisis or are already at emergency levels of food insecurity.
AFGHAN CITIZENS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE
Out of the 23 million Afghans that need urgent food assistance, 3 million children are at risk of severe hunger. Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP’s Afghanistan Country Director, released a statement on the situation.
McGroarty said that at this time the international community should differentiate between the imperative humanitarian needs and political discussions. She then added that the world should not condemn the Afghans to hunger and starvation; just because of the geopolitics and birth lottery.
WFP PETITION FOR 2022
According to the note, the WFP is requesting around 2.6 billion for its operations in Afghanistan for 2022. The office of the organization has visited remote areas of the country, and those visits revealed the situation. According to the WFP, those visits were to check the impacts of the drought, economic collapse, and covid-19 on the citizens.
Also, the conflict has added weight to the situation, that ended with the takeover by the Taliban in August. The cost of wheat is increasing around 80%, and due to it, the price of bread also increased.
To compensate, people that live in some areas of the country, consume a variety of wheat that has the reputation of causing neurological problems. The note also mentioned that many survive on bread and tea with milk. The citizens are also using a non-nutritional whitener because lately, they can’t afford anything more, due to the economic collapse.
SITUATION IN FAIZABAD AND AQKOPROK
In Faizabad, teachers, school principals, government workers, and the residents are selling their personal effects on the streets. The Staff of the Program was able to enter the village of Aqkoprok. The students of the village returned to school, but the professors have not received their salaries since July.
The Program reported an increase of 30% regarding severe and moderate malnutrition in the kids that live in Aqkoprok. That situation is reflected in the country. Dr. Mustafa receives children in Aqkoprok, to test them for malnutrition.
STATEMENT OF DOCTOR MUSTAFA
Mustafa told the WFP that they don’t have anything, because they are selling everything they have sometimes their own homes, for food. McGroarty then added that even though the number of Afghans that require assistance is big, the children are the ones that are paying the price.
McGroarty also remarked that millions count on WFP support this winter and that without it, their only two choices are migration or starvation. Then the note mentioned Mahmoud of 17 years old. According to the agency, he accompanied his family to the WFP distribution site in Mazar-i-Sharif.
MAHMOUD’s FURTHER STATEMENTS
The World Food Program mentioned that Mahmoud’s dream is to be a doctor, but he cannot afford to study due to the economic situation. The note then added that because his brother migrated to Iran, he has to take care of his family.
Mahmoud said that maybe he could achieve his dream in another country, but in Afghanistan, people work for food. He then added that the Afghans only think about that, to find food and bring it to their families.
The organization remarked that they have the goal of reaching 24 million Afghans in 2022. During the year, the WFP has been providing food, cash, and also nutrition assistance to 12.4 million people.
According to the WFP that support includes malnutrition treatment and prevention services to nearly 437,000 pregnant women. That assistance also includes breastfeeding women, and 900,000 children. Then the World Food Program stressed the urgency to provide assistance and not wait any longer.
