Food crisis in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is facing a serious food crisis caused by long-term drought and exacerbated by rising global food prices.

The situation

The last ten years have seen Afghanistan suffer from ongoing and persistent drought. Poor winter snowfall has meant water shortages are likely over the summer, threatening this year's harvest. All over Afghanistan, crops are showing signs of damage including stunted growth and disease.

Food grain shortages around the world have also resulted in a dramatic rise in food prices. The situation in Badakshan and Hazarajat regions is reported to be especially grim, with many of the most vulnerable families facing famine-like conditions. Hazarajat, in particular, is a chronically poor region whose minority population faces traditional discrimination.

Oxfam's response

Daikundi, where Oxfam works, is one of the poorest, most remote and inaccessible provinces, populated by the minority Hazaras.

This year we have been helping build grain banks for 31 communities. These allow communities to buy in grain when it is cheap, and distribute it to those most in need to see them through the winter without taking loans or selling livestock. The project has now been successfully completed, with 1,814 households (approximately 9,000 people) receiving grain.

We have also carried out cash-for-work projects and sheep distributions in the same province.

Donate now to Oxfam's World Food Crisis appeal

Update: 27 November 2008