The stopping of American aid, a « death sentence » for millions of Afghans suffering from hunger – Liberation

After losing help from the United States, The World Food Program (WFP) can only help only half of the Afghans suffering from hunger, to which it has already been for months for half-assets for lack of funds. This represents a direct danger for 8 million people but especially 3.1 million which are already at the last level established by the UN before famine.

When Washington announced in January a freezing of its aid abroad and the dismantling of the agency that organizes them, USAID, accused without evidence by Donald Trump of embezzlement, emergency food aid was to be maintained.

But this week, WFP reported that the United States had decided to reduce its emergency food aid to 14 countries, including Afghanistan – yet officially according to the UN the second greater humanitarian crisis global behind Sudan at war. If this measure is implemented, « It is a death sentence for millions of people », Ensures the WFP, which had planned to support nearly two million Afghans in the coming months.

In the country bruised by four decades of war and stuck in economic, humanitarian and climatic crises, 10 % of children under the age of 5 suffer from food deficiencies and 45 % accuse growth delays, the highest rates in the world.

« With our current resources, barely 8 million people will receive aid this year », says Mutinta Chimuka, the PAM representative in the country where 15 million Afghans are currently insecure. « And this, only if we obtain the expected payments of other donors », she warns.

After its new screw round announced this week, Washington quickly returned to the budget cuts planned for six countries but maintained those aimed at Afghanistan, Led by the Taliban authorities since the summer of 2021after the rout of The Islamic Republic supported by the United States. Since then, no country has recognized their government and only minimal emergency humanitarian aid reaches Kabul, while the country is, in fact, Cut of agreements allowing development projects.

Already faced with a 40 % drop in funding this year worldwide and multiple budget cuts for its Afghan branch in recent years, WFP must have divided the standard ration of 2,100 kilocalories recommended per person and per day. If additional funds are not released, “We may have to tell people that we are unable to support them. How are they going to survive?  » wonders Ms. Chimuka.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has urged international donors this week to continue to support the 22.9 million Afghans needing help this year. « If we want to help the Afghan people get out of the vicious circle of poverty and suffering, we must continue to have the means to meet urgent needs », pleaded Indrika Ratwatte, coordinator of the UN humanitarian action in the country.

For him, the freezing of foreign aid-because other countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom, have also drastically reduced their payments-could lead to an increase in migration and tensions throughout the region.