The European Union (EU) donated €50 Million in aid for the World Food Program in Afghanistan, the WFP said in a statement, adding that it would help (WFP) to reach Afghan communities with livelihoods and resilience support.
The WFP said that due to unprecedented economic hardship and environmental disasters like earthquakes and flooding, the Afghans are less prepared than ever to weather another harsh winter.
9 in 10 households cannot meet their food needs, with those headed by women particularly vulnerable, according to the latest WFP assessment.
“This is a time of urgent need for Afghanistan. The people are reeling from the effects of four decades of conflict, climate hazards, COVID-19 and the socioeconomic crisis that have deprived people of their jobs and livelihoods across the country in the past year,” Raffaella Iodice, EU Chargée d’affaires to Afghanistan was quoted in the statement. “People who previously were able to put food on the table are now struggling and turning to humanitarian agencies to help steady them in this new reality. We are committed to helping the Afghan population, especially the most vulnerable. Our investment in WFP’s resilience programming is an investment that will have long-lasting, positive effects for local communities.”
Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Afghanistan country director, said that the people of Afghanistan need support in building productive livelihoods more than ever.
“We are extraordinarily thankful to the European Union for this latest contribution. It allows WFP to continue our long-term livelihood and resilience work to help families be better prepared for and withstand environmental and man-made shocks. With skills training, young people and women, who are often the only breadwinners of their families, are empowered and have the means to support themselves and their families,” McGroarty said.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in Afghanistan and the World Food Program (WFP) expressed concerns over the deteriorating economic crises in Afghanistan.
In a tweet, OCHA in Afghanistan said that 25 million people in Afghanistan are facing poverty.
“19M people are facing food insecurity, 25M people are living in poverty, 5.8M people are in protracted internal displacement, thousands of houses damaged by floods and earthquake.
To survive the winter, they require food, nutrition support, warm clothing & a roof over their heads,” tweeted OCHA.
In the meantime, the World Food Program has voiced concerns about the economic crisis in Afghanistan.
“The economic crisis wiped out jobs, salaries & livelihoods across Afghanistan, helping families & communities support themselves is more important than ever,” said WFP on Twitter.
“A nation cannot reach prosperity until the poverty and unemployment are eradicated, so the way that can end poverty and unemployment is strengthening the private sector, attracting investment and creating employment in the country,” said Abdul Naseer, political analyst.
Right now there are many people who are facing poverty and living in bad conditions in Afghanistan.
Mohammad Amin was teaching in a literacy center. He has turned to shoemaking for a living and criticized the process of distributing humanitarian aid.—Tolonews
