November 19 2021, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations issued a message saying that the Afghan people were facing widespread drought, the collapse of rural livelihoods, and economic instability. FAO is providing emergency humanitarian assistance to local farmers and pastoralists, while urging the international community to provide larger and more direct support for agricultural production in Afghanistan.
In Afghanistan, at least 1880 million people are currently facing severe food insecurity. The number is expected to rise to 2280 million by the end of 2021. FAO is distributing seeds, fertilizers, cash and livelihood support to local farmers and pastoralists to help them sustain agricultural production and prevent widespread livelihood collapse in several parts of the country.
In addition, the phenomenon of “La Niña” in the coming months may lead to an unusually dry weather in Afghanistan, and farmers and pastoralists may usher in a second dry year in 2022. Unless the international community immediately provides large-scale support to protect local farmers and herdsmen and their livelihoods, this situation is likely to cause very serious famine.
To this end, FAO urgently needs to raise $1.15 billion to help 500 million Afghans this winter and next spring. Of this aid, $1 per $5 will directly support Afghan women. Another $8500 million will be raised in 2022 to carry out humanitarian relief efforts to prevent the collapse of the Afghan people’s livelihoods and cause a large number of people to leave their homes.
