Kabul Korrespondence: Millions face starvation in Afghanistan

Millions face starvation in Afghanistan

Friday, January 09, 2009

By James Cogan

A social catastrophe is unfolding in Afghanistan. 2008 was the seventh consecutive year of drought and poor harvests and as many as 8 to 10 million people face starvation as the harsh winter sets in and snow falls isolate rural communities. The worst affected provinces are in central and northern Afghanistan where US and NATO forces have exerted almost unchallenged control since the 2001 invasion and claim to have spent billions of dollars on reconstruction and development.

A minimum of 6 million tonnes of wheat and other cereals are needed to feed the country's population, which has swollen to nearly 30 million after the return of refugees from Pakistan and Iran. Last year just 3.5 million tonnes of cereal were produced with the entire crop being lost in some areas. Over 1.5 million animals—some 10 percent of livestock—also died due to water shortages.

.......help.......

posted by Travis, 6:43 pm

5 Comments:

Hello James,

You wrote, the worst affected areas are central and northern Afghanistan, how do u know that, or how u believe that?

Central and northern areas are safe, calm and in the center of the attention of both, afghan government and international community.

i believe south, is the most affected, where trade conveys are set ablaze, by the extremist, coming from the neighbouring countries, and where many people are killed by either the international community bambs, and taliban sucide attacks.

i am born in cetral afghanistan, and grew up in the north, but it is proved to me that people in the central and northern are much in better life, than in the south.

regards,

commented by

Anonymous, 8:55 pm

hello my source was moby media (tolo) the article is not about the areas which as worst off due to security (the south) the article refers to the areas worst affected by drought (agriculture not war) The centre and the north faced severe droughts last year and it is presumed that this year (due to low snow falls) these areas will face the same problem. in no way was a i trying to play down the troubles of the south. the whole country needs attention on many levels.

commented by