WFP: Fund paucity forces food ration cuts for Afghans

KABUL (Pajhwok):  The World Food Programme (WFP) says the paucity of funds has forced it to cut life-saving assistance in March to at least four million people in Afghanistan.

On Friday, the UN food agency warned of catastrophic hunger becoming widespread across Afghanistan. It said four million people would receive half of what they need to get by in March.

WFP said in an alert food stocks had run out before the next harvest due in May, traditionally the most difficult time of the year for rural families.

The cuts come at a time of vulnerable Afghans emerging from yet another freezing winter. Sub-zero temperatures combined with economic distress has pushed millions into despair.

Since November 202, WFP has been warning that funds would run out just as the lean season is reaching its peak in March and April.

Two-thirds of Afghanistan’s population, or more than 28 million people, need humanitarian assistance in 2023, almost triple that in 2021.

Subsequently, WFP said it massively spiked its assistance across Afghanistan in 2022, thanks to generous funding.

It supported 23 million people, distributing more than 1 million metric tonnes of food and $326 million in cash or vouchers to help families survive.

pr/mud