The World Food Programme said on Twitter it provided food assistance, nutrition and other support for 17.5 million Afghans.
“On International Day of Families. WFP is reaching mothers and children across Afghanistan in some of the most remote and mountainous areas of the country,” WFP Afghanistan said on Twitter.
“We have been able to provide food or cash to over 17 million people, so they can purchase food for themselves,” said Waheedullah Amani, a spokesman for the WFP.
Meanwhile, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), said in a recent report that “some 70% of Afghan households reported being unable to cover basic food and non-food needs, reflecting the impact of decline in household incomes.”
Economists say the reduction in the international community’s aid to Afghanistan will cause further deterioration of the economic condition.
“Due to the stall in main factors of the economic sector, there is a need for extension of the international aid, otherwise the economic condition of the people will become worse,” said Fahim Abassi, an economist.
The World Food Programme warned that if the funds asked for by the organization are not immediately provided by the donors, it may halt operations in Afghanistan.
This comes as Afghanistan is facing a severe humanitarian catastrophe with millions of people suffering from starvation and a lack of basic needs.
The Islamic Emirate stressed that the distribution of aid should be conducted through the domestic institutions to ensure transparency.
“Over half of all Afghans – 23 million people – need emergency food assistance. Yet a lack of funds threaten to grind operations to a halt,” WFP said on Twitter.
Based on the available numbers of the WFP, around 12 million Afghans have been provided with food materials within the last month. The WFP said it needed $1.6 billion to continue its aid for the people who are in need in Afghanistan.
“There are no problems between the aid organizations and Islamic Emirate with the distribution of aid. I hope this problem will be solved soon,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.
This comes as the officials at the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock suggested that the distribution of aid be transparent and distributed through the organizations active inside Afghanistan.
“It is better that the international aid be provided in cooperation with the domestic organizations to reach those who deserve the aid,” said Musbahuddin, a spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock.
Earlier, analysts expressed concerns that the tensions in Ukraine would distract the attention of the world from Afghanistan.—Tolonews
