The government of Afghanistan and the United
Nations on Wednesday appealed for more than 404 million dollars in aid
to feed 4.5 million Afghans who are in desperate need as a result of
the worldwide rise in food prices, poor harvests and drought.
Based on a UN report, last year Afghanistan was able to produce over 90
per cent of its own food, but the country's wheat harvest this year is
expected to be 36 per cent lower than in 2007.
The harvest
for this year is forecast to be around two-thirds of the domestic
requirements. Around 2 million tons of grain will have to be imported.
The appeal for over 404 million dollars seeks to ensure the food
security of 450,000 urban and rural households that have been hit
hardest by worldwide food price hikes, the United Nations mission in
Kabul and the Afghan government said in a joint statement.
Bo
Asplund, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator and Deputy Special
Representative of the Secretary-General said, 'There is an urgent need
to provide life-saving assistance to Afghanistan's people, the needs
are great and the time is limited.'
With the support of the
international community, it is possible to prevent millions of Afghans
being pushed into food insecurity, avoid displacement of families and
protect them against malnutrition, Asplund added.
'We urge
donors to step forward with commitments of support that will enable us
to provide essential food, water and health services to vulnerable
groups over the next twelve months,' said the UN official.
Meanwhile, Afghan Vice President Mohammad Karim Khalili said drought,
conflict and a poor harvest have compounded the problems for Afghan
people and there is a need of international community support to
prevent further suffering.
Kalili further said, 'The timing
and need for this appeal should not be underestimated. Millions of
Afghanistan's most vulnerable families are at risk unless we act now,'
Kalili said.
Funds from the appeal will also be used to
provide safe drinking water, promote good hygiene in drought-affected
communities and improve disease control where it is weak.
A
significant part of the money received will be for the next
agricultural cycle to help increase productivity and avoid a prolonged
relief situation.
