The Hindu : International : 2.5 million Afghans facing food shortage

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Wednesday, Jul 26, 2006

International

International

2.5 million Afghans facing food shortage

Situation brought about by drought; Kabul appeals for $76-million aid

KABUL: Afghan and U.N. officials said on Tuesday that more than 2.5 million people in the country are suffering from food insecurity caused by drought this year, and appealed for an aid of $76.4 million.

Afghanistan, with a population of about 31 million, was facing an imminent food crisis due to inadequate rainfall in April and May and an expected shortfall in this year's rain-fed wheat harvest, Afghan Vice-President Mohammad Karim Khalili said at a press conference.

He said over 2.5 million were affected by drought, which was more severe than last year, and needs urgent attention from the international community.

This estimate would be in addition to 6.5 million people who face seasonal or chronic food insecurity. Christopher Alexander, deputy special representative of the U.N. Secretary-General to Afghanistan, said the country was in a ``strong'' and ``compelling'' humanitarian crisis caused by drought, and the matter should be sincerely addressed.

The total cereal shortfall this year in Afghanistan is estimated by the Agriculture Ministry at 1.2 million tonnes, while the country's average deficit was between 0.25 and 0.5 million tonnes in the past years.

The harvest of wheat, as the principal cereal in Afghanistan, would be 3.71 million tonnes this year, a reduction of 13 per cent from last year, according to the ministry.

And the reduction is particularly acute for rain-fed cereal production, decreasing 50 per cent from 1.6 million tonnes to 8 lakh tonnes.

Priority needs under the appeal are for 67,000 tonnes of cereals, 14,500 tonnes of other commodities and up to 26,140 tonnes of feed concentrate.

In addition, 4,500 tonnes of high quality autumn and spring seeds are requested with 6,750 tonnes of fertiliser.

Mr. Khalili said there would be other negative impacts if the food shortage was not dealt with.

Farmers would be forced to plant poppy, which needs less water, and would migrate to urban areas, which will cause big problems.

Other possible impacts of the drought are: households will consume their harvest much sooner than usual, leading to steadily increasing malnutrition; seeds will be consumed before next year's planting season; animals and household assets will be sold, according to a press release jointly issued by the Afghan Government and the U.N. — Xinhua

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