World Food Programme Warns of Famine in Afghanistan

The United Nations World Food Programme has warned of a potential famine in Afghanistan due to decreased funding. John Aileyev, the regional director of the World Food Programme in Asia and the Pacific, stated that the situation is dire and that humanitarian aid programs are facing a severe funding shortfall. He noted that the World Food Programme has about 80% less money for Afghanistan compared to last year, with only $340 million available out of the $1.6 billion needed for the country. Aileyev confirmed that the situation is worsening as winter approaches in Afghanistan, where some mountain villages can be cut off from the outside world for up to six months due to snow and cannot survive without supplies. Fifteen million people in Afghanistan are facing hunger, and the World Food Programme aims to reach at least 13 million people, but due to the funding shortfall, it has been forced to cut assistance for 10 million of them.