Hunger crisis in Afghanistan deepens; WFP appeals for $539 million in urgent aid

The World Food Programme (WFP) said on social media that the hunger crisis in Afghanistan is worsening by the day, with returnees, women and children among the hardest hit.

The organisation warned that around 15 million people, a third of Afghanistan’s population, need emergency food assistance to survive, with 3.5 million children under five and 1.2 million pregnant or breastfeeding mothers at risk of malnutrition.

The WFP has appealed for $539 million to continue providing aid to those in need over the next six months.

The organisation stressed that without sufficient funding, vital programmes such as emergency food assistance, malnutrition treatment and vocational training for women will be at risk.