Afghanistan’s food crisis worsens as international aid cuts force many to subsist on “bread and tea.” The World Food Programme can only assist half of the 15 million Afghans in need. Rising tensions and restrictions on women by the Taliban, alongside global crises, contribute to diminishing aid levels, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian disaster.

Afghanistan is experiencing a deepening food crisis as aid cuts have left many citizens reliant on meager diets of just “bread and tea,” according to Hsiao-Wei Lee, the World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director. Currently, the WFP can assist only half of the 15 million Afghans in desperate need of food, with funding cuts intensifying during the harsh winter months. Humanitarian aid has diminished as the Taliban maintain restrictions on female NGO workers, causing donor nations to withdraw support in light of global priorities and safety concerns.

Since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, when foreign assistance stalled, Afghanistan’s economy has been in turmoil, with humanitarian aid stepping in to address critical needs. Nevertheless, cuts in international aid have resulted in approximately 6 million Afghans facing severe food insecurity, consuming minimal meals daily. The United Nations reports that Afghanistan’s humanitarian response plan is only partially funded for 2024.

The U.S. State Department recently issued a halt to all foreign assistance and postponed new aid investigations. The implications of these actions on Afghanistan’s humanitarian landscape remain uncertain, particularly since over 40% of assistance funding for 2024 originates from the United States. Lee expressed concern about potential reductions in support due to escalating needs for women and children in Afghanistan.

Aid to Afghanistan is further complicated by global emergencies in regions such as Sudan, Ukraine, and Gaza, which have also diverted attention from Afghan needs. Humanitarian officials and Western diplomats emphasize the importance of continuing aid amidst increasing Taliban restrictions. Recently, the International Criminal Court has sought arrest warrants for Taliban leaders for their treatment of women and girls.

Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the country has faced significant economic challenges, leading to severe food insecurity among its population. With the suspension of international development aid and imposed restrictions on the banking sector, concerns regarding the Taliban’s treatment of women have prompted further cuts in international assistance. The humanitarian crisis has been aggravated by competing global emergencies, impacting donor willingness. As Afghanistan approaches a precarious situation, there are urgent calls for maintaining support for its most vulnerable citizens, including women and children.

The food crisis in Afghanistan has reached alarming levels as significant cuts in international aid continue to affect millions of citizens, with reliance on inadequate diets becoming common. The World Food Programme faces the challenge of assisting only a fraction of those in need amid severe funding declines attributed to political decisions and operational restrictions. Ensuring that vulnerable populations receive necessary support remains a pressing priority for humanitarian organizations in the region.

Original Source: www.cnn.com

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