The Hunger Crisis In Afghanistan: A Nation On The Brink

Afghanistan is in the midst of a worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions of people on the brink of starvation. The country is facing an economic collapse, with most international assistance cut off after the Taliban takeover in August 2021. The situation has led to a currency crisis, extensive poverty, and the collapse of key public services such as healthcare. The crisis has disproportionately affected women and children, with many facing food insecurity and malnutrition. According to the UN, acute hunger in the country rose from 14 million in July 2021 to 23 million in March 2022. The crisis has been exacerbated by a severe drought, which has impacted food production, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted supply chains and reduced access to food.

The role of the Taliban in the starvation crisis

Afghanistan is facing a starvation crisis, with millions of people at risk of famine. The situation has been exacerbated by the Taliban's takeover of the country in August 2021, which led to the suspension of most non-humanitarian funding and the freezing of billions of dollars' worth of assets. The Taliban's control has also contributed to the country's economic decline, with high unemployment and sustained inflation increasing household debt and challenging people's ability to cope.

The Taliban's disregard for human rights, particularly their imposition of strict restrictions on women and girls' access to education, work, healthcare, and freedom of movement, has further contributed to the starvation crisis. These policies have limited women's and girls' access to food and basic resources, with a Taliban ban on women working in most jobs. The group's poor human rights record has also imperiled hopes of reaching agreements to resolve the banking crisis and hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The Taliban's policies and human rights abuses have led to international isolation and the imposition of sanctions, further contributing to the economic crisis. US government actions since the Taliban takeover, including suspending recognition of Afghanistan's Central Bank, have cut off the country's economy from the world and impaired Afghans' basic human rights to livelihood, food, healthcare, and life itself. While the US and other countries have provided humanitarian aid, underlying restrictions on Afghanistan's Central Bank remain, making it difficult for private banks to process large transactions and impairing the country's economic functionality.

The starvation crisis in Afghanistan is a direct result of the Taliban's takeover and their subsequent policies and human rights abuses. The group's actions have led to economic collapse, hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid, and limited people's access to food and basic resources, particularly for women and girls. The international community's response to the Taliban's actions has further exacerbated the situation, contributing to a starvation crisis that threatens the lives of millions of Afghans.

The impact of the drought on food production

Afghanistan has been experiencing below-normal rainfall since October 2020, with conditions impacting both rain-fed and irrigated agriculture and livestock. The country has been enduring its worst drought in 30 years and now faces its third consecutive year of drought.

The drought has had a devastating impact on food production, with more than 80% of the country affected. In particular, the west, southwest and south of the country have experienced acute drought conditions, with more than half the crops failing. The drought has also led to severe water shortages, with water tables receding by up to four meters. As a result, wheat production has been significantly impacted, with a deficit of 16 to 27% expected for the year.

The drought has also contributed to displacement, with nearly 700,000 people internally displaced due to the water crisis. This has further impacted food production and security, as many communities depend on meager incomes from migrating outside their farmlands.

Overall, the drought has had a devastating impact on food production in Afghanistan, leading to crop failures, reduced livestock numbers, and increased food insecurity for millions of people. The situation has been made worse by economic and political factors, creating a dire humanitarian crisis in the country.

The effect of the banking and financial crisis

Afghanistan is facing a banking and financial crisis that has had a devastating impact on its people, causing starvation and malnutrition. The crisis has been caused by a combination of factors, including international sanctions on the Taliban, the freezing of foreign reserves, and the collapse of the country's banking sector. Here are four to six paragraphs detailing the effects of this crisis:

The financial crisis in Afghanistan has had a profound impact on the country's economy, with people struggling to make ends meet. The banking sector has been particularly affected, with banks facing liquidity issues and a lack of physical cash. This has resulted in private banks scaling back their operations, laying off employees, and cutting down salaries. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that the Afghan economy will contract by 6.2% in 2022, following a sharp contraction of 20.7% in 2021.

One of the main factors contributing to the banking crisis is the freezing of foreign reserves. After the Taliban takeover, the US and its allies prevented the disbursal of approximately $9 billion in foreign exchange reserves held by the Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) in international banks, mainly in the US Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This decision has severely impacted the liquidity of the Afghan banking system and has contributed to the economic collapse.

The isolation of the Afghan central bank, DAB, from the international banking system has been one of the most consequential actions taken by the US and its allies. This policy has effectively barred the DAB's access to its foreign exchange reserves, exacerbating the economic crisis. The decision to engage with the Taliban to find a solution raises questions about granting legitimacy to a terrorist organization. However, choosing not to engage could further worsen the humanitarian crisis.

The economic crisis has led to a massive drop in purchasing power for Afghans. With the banking system in disarray, people are unable to access their money, and businesses are struggling to stay afloat. The lack of cash has also resulted in a spike in food prices, making it even more difficult for families to afford basic necessities. The World Food Program estimates that more than half of Afghanistan's population is facing extreme levels of hunger.

The crisis has also had a devastating impact on women and girls, who already faced significant obstacles in obtaining food, healthcare, and financial resources. With the Taliban banning women from most paid jobs, households reliant on female earners have been pushed into desperation. According to the World Food Program, nearly 100% of female-headed households face insufficient food consumption, and many are taking drastic measures to obtain food.

The financial crisis has disrupted the lives of Afghans, pushing them into poverty and forcing them to make impossible choices. With the economy in freefall and the banking system on the brink of collapse, the future looks uncertain for Afghanistan unless effective solutions are implemented to address the economic and humanitarian crisis.

The response of the international community

The international community has responded to the starvation crisis in Afghanistan with a combination of sanctions, humanitarian aid, and calls for cooperation between the Taliban and Western powers.

Following the Taliban takeover in August 2021, most international assistance to Afghanistan was cut off, exacerbating the country's economic collapse and worsening the humanitarian crisis. The United States frozen much of its Afghanistan funding and imposed sanctions on the Taliban, which have contributed to the country's economic woes. However, the US has also provided humanitarian aid, announcing $308 million in additional assistance in January 2022, on top of $474 million in American humanitarian assistance since 2002. The US has also issued licenses to allow UN organizations, humanitarian actors, and NGOs to scale up their operations and meet the needs of Afghans.

The United Nations and other humanitarian organizations have warned of the dire situation in Afghanistan, with the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator describing the food insecurity and malnutrition crisis as being of "unparalleled proportions." The UN and its partners have supported millions of Afghans with life-saving and life-sustaining food assistance, but they continue to face challenges in accessing funds and reaching those in need.

Western powers have called for the Taliban to rescind restrictions on women's rights and education, while the Taliban has urged Western powers to lift sanctions and accept its legitimacy. This impasse has led to a logjam, with both sides refusing to budge, and the Afghan people suffering as a result.

To avert mass starvation, there have been calls for cooperation between the Taliban and Western powers. The previous winter saw a disaster averted due to such cooperation. However, there are concerns that the Taliban's rigidity and Western short-sightedness may prevail, leading to devastating consequences for Afghan civilians.

The consequences for Afghanistan's children

Afghanistan is facing a hunger crisis, with millions of people on the brink of starvation. This has had a devastating impact on the country's children, who are facing a range of consequences that threaten their health, education, and safety.

One of the most immediate and severe consequences is malnutrition. The World Food Program and UNICEF have reported that over 20 million Afghans are facing extreme levels of hunger, with acute malnutrition spiking across the country. This has led to a significant increase in the number of children suffering from malnutrition, with hospitals filling up with skeletal babies and malnourished children. According to UNICEF, more than 3.5 million children in Afghanistan are in need of nutrition treatment support. The situation is particularly dire for girls, as they face greater obstacles in accessing food and other basic resources due to the Taliban's restrictions on women.

The hunger crisis has also disrupted children's access to education. With families struggling to survive, many children are forced to work or beg on the streets instead of attending school. In some cases, children are even sold by their families to pay for food or sold into early marriages. The destruction of schools during the decades of conflict in Afghanistan has further limited access to education, and the remaining schools often lack the necessary infrastructure and resources. As a result, only around 60% of Afghan children are enrolled in school, and the country has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world.

The conflict and economic collapse in Afghanistan have also led to an increase in dangerous child labor practices. Children as young as 10 are working in hazardous conditions, such as street vending, water carrying, and shoe polishing, to help their families survive. Many children have also been recruited into armies, police forces, and militias, with UNICEF reporting that there may still be up to 8,000 child soldiers in the country.

The lack of access to food, healthcare, and education has had a severe impact on the health and well-being of children in Afghanistan. The country has one of the highest child mortality rates in the world, and children face a range of health issues due to malnutrition and limited access to clean water and sanitation services. The ongoing conflict and human rights violations have also taken a toll on the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children, with many suffering from post-traumatic stress and other psychological issues.

The consequences of the hunger crisis in Afghanistan for children are dire, and the situation continues to deteriorate. Humanitarian organizations are working to provide support and alleviate the impact of the crisis, but a long-term solution is needed to address the underlying economic and political issues that are driving the crisis.

Frequently asked questions