KABUL, Afghanistan: Afghanistan Ranks Second in Global Hunger Crisis with Over a Million People in Emergency Conditions, Reports World Food Programme
The World Food Programme (WFP) in Afghanistan has revealed that Afghanistan has secured the unenviable position of being the second-highest country in the world with over a million of its populace facing dire levels of hunger.
In a recent announcement, WFP Afghanistan posted on its official account, highlighting that at least 6.08 million individuals in the country are grappling with the alarming “fourth phase” of hunger, signifying an escalating crisis.
Wahidullah Amani, spokesperson for WFP Afghanistan, emphasized the severe financial constraints the organization is facing, necessitating a reduction in assistance from 13 million to a mere 2 million people. The WFP has been grappling with a shortage of funds this month, compelling us to further cut assistance by 2 million individuals. This means we can now only extend aid to 3 million people, Amani stated.
However, the Islamic Emirate argued that the shortage of aid organizations’ budgets is a consequence of the global surge in poverty. Spokesperson Mujahid remarked, “The world is grappling with a poverty crisis. Not only Afghanistan but even the West and other supporting nations are struggling with poverty-related issues. Moreover, significant measures are being taken to address poverty in Afghanistan.”
Economists echoed the concern, underlining the escalated levels of poverty and unemployment compared to previous years. They emphasized the necessity for continued assistance from international organizations and world governments to alleviate the plight of the Afghan people. Azeraksh Hafizi, an economist, stressed the alarming nature of the situation, saying, “Accurate international reports and evident realities in Afghanistan paint a grim picture of the livelihoods of the Afghan people heading towards a catastrophic outcome. Being labelled as the second poorest and hungriest country in the world is an extremely perilous designation.”
According to the WFP Afghanistan’s rankings, Sudan stands at the top of the list of countries grappling with emergency-level hunger. Other countries on this alarming chart include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Somalia, Haiti, Kenya, and Nigeria. The urgent need for international aid and support to combat this dire crisis cannot be overstated.
