Afghanistan Faces Growing Hunger Crisis as Aid Funding Dries Up

Afghanistan: Today, the lives of crores of people in Afghanistan have become just a struggle for survival. The latest report of the International Red Cross says that in 2025, more than 2.29 crore people will need some kind of humanitarian assistance. This number is so large that it seems as if half the country is not in a position to even get food without help. For those whose hope was only on relief material, that support is also decreasing now.

Why did hunger and cold increase the crisis?

International organizations providing food aid do not have the same funding as before. Many countries, including America, reduced aid, due to which the World Food Program is working with limited resources. For this reason, about 1.7 crore people are on the verge of hunger this winter.

Cold is a separate challenge; unemployment and inflation have made the situation worse. Employment opportunities are limited, treatment is expensive, and many families do not even have the ability to keep their homes warm in winter.

Why is help stopping?

The United Nations says that the situation is so bad this year that even large-scale food distribution could not be done during the winter. Last year, when 56 lakh people got help, this time only 10 lakh people could get relief. Whatever is possible is being done from the makeshift fund, but the need is so great that most people are left out.

Next year the UN will be able to focus only on the 3.9 million most needy people, with no funds available for the rest.

What was the impact of the return of refugees?

After the arrival of Taliban rule, lakhs of people left the country and went to neighboring places. Now 71 lakh refugees have returned in the last four years. Many of them have neither homes nor permanent jobs. Like Rahimullah, who was earlier in the Afghan army, then fled to Pakistan and has now been sent back. The biggest difficulty faced by such people is rebuilding their life, which is not easy in the current circumstances.

Now what's next?

If funding is not increased and the situation remains like this, the situation may worsen in the coming months. The government, international agencies, and local organizations are appealing for relief to continue; otherwise, the situation will reach a point from which it will be difficult to return. At present the country is clinging to hope, and people are passing the days with the belief that help will return one day.