WFP reports improved food security in Afghanistan, but challenges remain

In its latest report, the WFP highlighted better yields in key crops like wheat, rice, maize, and fruits, as well as a reduction in the number of Afghans in need of urgent humanitarian aid—from 15.3 million to 12.4 million people. The organization also revealed that it had distributed $5.5 million in September to address the food security challenges faced by Afghan citizens.

“In September, WFP General Food Assistance (GFA) supported approximately 1.3 million vulnerable people,” the report said, noting that 42% of these individuals received cash-based transfers or commodity vouchers to meet their food needs. However, the WFP warned that it has had to significantly reduce life-saving assistance since 2023, leaving 11 million acutely food-insecure people without sufficient aid.

While the WFP report points to a positive shift in food security, Afghanistan's Ministry of Economy has emphasized the need for long-term solutions. Abdul Rahman Habib, spokesperson for the ministry, stated that while short-term aid is helpful, more focus should be placed on development projects to help Afghans achieve economic self-sufficiency.

“We ask the World Food Programme and other relief organizations to not only provide humanitarian aid to our citizens but also take part in development projects so that people can become economically self-sufficient,” Habib said.

Despite the reported progress, many Afghan citizens continue to face significant economic difficulties. Some Kabul residents have urged both international relief organizations and the Afghan government to provide further assistance, citing ongoing unemployment and lack of resources.

“There is no work, no livelihood, and we live a life where we neither die nor truly live,” said one Kabul resident, reflecting the hardships many Afghans continue to endure.

Another Kabul resident, Malik, expressed frustration at the lack of visible support: “So far, no aid has arrived. To this day, neither the United Nations, human rights organizations, nor the WFP have come to help these people.”

The WFP report also warned that Afghanistan still faces significant hurdles, including widespread unemployment, reduced income, ongoing droughts and floods, and the return of thousands of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries. Despite some improvement in food security, many Afghan families remain in urgent need of humanitarian assistance to survive these conditions. (ILKHA)