Afghanistan: As winter approaches, experts predict acute hunger and widespread famine

World Food Programme (WFP) will have to increase its supplies to Afghanistan in order to assist more than 22 million people. If wear turns out to be as bad as experts predict this winter, a large number of people will face acute hunger and widespread famine, BBC reported. temperature has dropped from early autumn warmth to a sharp chill. Drought has been reported in several areas, adding to sense of impending disaster and country is beginning to experience 'hell on earth.'

" winter is nearly here, I don't kw how I'll get through it if I can't make bread," BBC reported citing an Afghan man. A crowd of several hundred men had gared at Maidan Wardak, 50 miles west of Kabul, in hope of obtaining flour from an official distribution point. World Food Programme provided flour. Taliban soldiers kept crowd quiet, but those who were told y weren't eligible for a handout were enrd and terrified, according to BBC.

WHO, with Qatar's help sends aid to Afghanistan

With Qatar's assistance, World Health Organisation (WHO) delivered approximately seven metric tonnes of life-saving medicines and supplies to Afghanistan. WHO said in a news release that a plane carrying approximately seven metric tonnes of life-saving medicines and supplies arrived in Kabul on vember 4. WHO delivered shipment in collaboration with Qatar Airways' operations and logistics teams, as well as Qatari government. 

Dr Mutlaq AlQahtani, Qatar's Special Envoy of Minister of Foreign Affairs for Counter-terrorism and Conflict Resolution Mediation, urged international community to continue providing assistance to Afghanistan. AlQahtani emphasised importance of providing aid to Afghanistan in light of spread of new COVID-19 variants and impending winter season. Dr Mutlaq AlQahtani emphasised that Qatar continues to assist war-torn nation in facilitating supply airlifts.

Before Taliban took power in Afghanistan in August, re was optimism that government of President Ashraf Ghani, with assistance of international community, would be able to deal with threat of a harsh winter. When Mr Ghani's government fell apart, that assistance slipped away. Western countries have cut off aid to country because y do t want to be seen as supporting a regime that prohibits girls from attending school and favours reintroducing full range of Sharia punishments.

(With inputs from ncies)

Im: AP