**Afghanistan's Hunger Crisis: A Nation's Struggle For Survival**

Afghanistan is facing a hunger crisis of unprecedented proportions. The latest reports from 2022 indicate that nearly 20 million people—almost half of the country's population—are facing acute hunger. This figure includes approximately 10 million children who are unable to secure food daily. The crisis is exacerbated by a multitude of factors, including poverty, conflict, drought, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all of which have led to a near-collapse of the healthcare system and the destruction of family livelihoods. The situation is further aggravated by the ongoing economic crisis, the impact of the Ukraine war, and the sanctions placed on the Taliban government, resulting in limited access to international financial institutions and frozen assets. Humanitarian assistance has been crucial in averting a catastrophe, but the need for urgent food aid and long-term solutions remains dire.

The impact of the Ukraine war

Afghanistan is facing a hunger crisis, with nearly 20 million people—almost half the population—facing acute hunger. The situation has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, which has caused food insecurity across the globe. Here is how the Ukraine war has impacted the situation in Afghanistan:

Impact of the Ukraine War

The war in Ukraine has had a significant impact on food insecurity in Afghanistan. As major exporters of wheat, Ukraine and Russia's conflict has disrupted global food supplies and contributed to rising food prices. Afghanistan, already struggling with poverty, conflict, drought, and the COVID-19 pandemic, has been hit hard by these global shocks.

The crisis in Ukraine has caused a ripple effect on food prices and availability, affecting countries like Afghanistan that rely on imports of wheat and other staples. The increased costs of transporting food due to rising fuel prices have further exacerbated the situation. Afghanistan's wheat supply, food commodities, agricultural inputs, and fuel prices have all been impacted by the war.

Humanitarian Aid Challenges

The Ukraine war has also diverted attention and resources away from the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Aid organizations have struggled to secure sufficient funding to address the needs in both regions. Additionally, sanctions on Russia have created challenges for delivering aid to Afghanistan, as some measures have inadvertently affected the country.

Long-Term Solutions

To address the impact of the Ukraine war on Afghanistan's food insecurity, long-term solutions are necessary. Diversification of agricultural imports is crucial to reduce reliance on single suppliers. Encouraging alternative sources of wheat and other staples can help Afghanistan mitigate the risks associated with market concentration. Ensuring an affordable supply of fertilizer is also essential to prevent further crop production declines.

Global Food Insecurity

The Ukraine war has highlighted the interconnectedness of the global food system and the vulnerability of countries dependent on food imports. It has also underscored the need for bold action to address food insecurity and prevent future crises. The international community must learn from this crisis and take steps to strengthen global food security, improve market transparency, and enhance coordination to stabilize food prices and supplies.

The effects of drought

Afghanistan is facing its third consecutive year of drought, with below-normal rainfall since October 2020. The drought has had a significant impact on both rain-fed and irrigated agriculture and livestock, as well as water availability for drinking, washing, and sanitation.

Agricultural Impacts

The drought has severely affected crop production and livestock in Afghanistan, leading to critical food shortages. The wheat production deficit is expected to be between 16 and 27 per cent this year, requiring increased imports from international suppliers. The lack of rainfall has also impacted the availability of fodder and water for livestock, with more than three million animals in danger of death.

Economic Impacts

The drought has exacerbated the economic crisis in Afghanistan, which was already struggling due to poverty, conflict, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The country's economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, with about a third of its GDP generated by this sector. The reduced crop yields and loss of livestock have further deteriorated the economic situation, causing increased unemployment and poverty rates.

Social Impacts

The social impacts of the drought are far-reaching, with half of Afghanistan's population facing acute hunger. This has led to severe malnutrition, especially among children, and an increase in disease outbreaks. The lack of access to water has also forced people to adopt negative coping strategies, such as child marriage, child labour, and migration. The drought has also contributed to the displacement of millions of people within the country, as they search for water and better living conditions.

Environmental Impacts

The drought has had a significant environmental impact on Afghanistan, with land degradation, deforestation, and pasture degradation. The reduced water availability has also affected wildlife, with many species migrating to other areas.

Overall, the effects of the drought in Afghanistan have been devastating, contributing to the country's worsening humanitarian crisis and threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions of people.

The economic crisis

Afghanistan's economic crisis is a key factor in the country's mass hunger. The country's economy was already in decline before the Taliban takeover in August 2021, suffering from severe drought, the COVID-19 pandemic, declining confidence in the previous government, falling international military spending, human and capital flight, and Taliban advances.

The abrupt cutoff of civilian and security aid (more than $8 billion per year, equivalent to 40% of Afghanistan's GDP) immediately after the Taliban takeover exacerbated the situation. The US and other governments revoked the Central Bank of Afghanistan's credentials to interact with the international banking system, causing a massive liquidity crisis and nationwide shortages of banknotes. This led to a sharp drop in purchasing power and massive funding gaps, with major implications for both households and the macroeconomic level.

The impact of the economic crisis has been devastating, with acute malnutrition entrenched across the country and nearly 20 million people suffering from crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity. The situation is particularly dire in rural areas, with tens of thousands of people in Ghor province facing "catastrophic" levels of hunger due to a harsh winter and disastrous agricultural conditions.

To address the economic crisis, it is crucial to reach an agreement to allow the Central Bank of Afghanistan to access the international banking system and provide it with the necessary credentials. Additionally, efforts should be made to restore wage support for essential workers and implement food insecurity programs. The Taliban also needs to improve their economic management, increase transparency, and address the concerns of the international community to facilitate the flow of aid and restore normal international financial relations.

Sanctions and their consequences

Afghanistan has been in a state of chaos since the US withdrawal in August 2021, with the country's economy crippled by sanctions and a freeze on assets. The country is now led by the Taliban, deemed a terrorist group by the US, which has resulted in economic isolation and a halt in the flow of money to the country. The consequences of these sanctions are severe and far-reaching, with nearly half of Afghanistan's population facing acute hunger.

The impact on the economy

The sanctions have had a devastating impact on Afghanistan's economy, with the country's GDP contracting by 20% between 2021 and 2022, resulting in a loss of $5 billion. Per capita income declined by 14-28% and an estimated 700,000 jobs were lost during this period. The banking sector has also been affected, with challenges in transferring money to the country and accessing domestic and international banking services. This has made it difficult for humanitarian organizations to provide aid and for families to access much-needed financial resources.

The impact on the people

The economic crisis has led to a deepening humanitarian crisis, with nearly 20 million people facing acute hunger and up to 1 million children under 5 at risk of dying by the end of the year due to a lack of food, water, and sanitation services. Malnutrition is widespread, especially among children, and health centers are struggling to cope with the influx of patients. The situation is further exacerbated by the ongoing drought, which has led to failed harvests and displacement.

The role of sanctions

The sanctions imposed on Afghanistan, particularly the freezing of assets, have played a significant role in the country's economic crisis. The US froze more than $9 billion in assets of Afghanistan's central bank, with half of this amount being withheld as possible compensation for the victims of the 9/11 attacks. This has severely limited the central bank's ability to function and has made transferring money to the country nearly impossible. The sanctions have also disrupted the flow of money to businesses, including those importing and exporting food and other essential goods, further contributing to the humanitarian crisis.

Calls for action

There have been calls for the international community to address the devastating impact of sanctions and to find ways to stabilize and support Afghanistan's economy. This includes improving awareness about the scope of sanctions and reducing over-compliance, as well as taking concrete steps to address the economic and humanitarian crises. However, the dilemma remains that cooperating with the Taliban regime, which has been accused of massive human rights violations, could empower their hard-liners.

The health system collapse

Afghanistan's healthcare system is on the brink of collapse, with 95% of families facing hunger. The situation is critical, with hospitals and clinics struggling to cope with a surge in malnutrition and disease. The cash shortage has led to staff not being paid for months, medicine and supply shortages, and patients being unable to access essential health services.

The Sehatmandi programme, which provides essential primary care services, including maternal, newborn, and child health, has lost major funding since the Taliban takeover. This has left thousands of facilities unable to buy medical supplies and pay salaries, with fewer than one in five still open. The lack of financial support has forced health providers to make difficult decisions about who to treat and who to let die.

The economic crisis and drought have also severely impacted the healthcare system, with rising food and fuel prices, limited access to seeds, fertilizer, and water for irrigation, and scarce job opportunities. The war in Ukraine has further exacerbated these issues, putting pressure on Afghanistan's wheat supply and agricultural inputs.

The brain drain, or migration of healthcare professionals to other countries, has also contributed to the collapse of the healthcare system. There is a shortage of doctors and nurses, with many having left the country due to financial instability, safety concerns, and political instability. The suspension of payments from abroad, particularly the freezing of foreign reserves and aid money, has resulted in a lack of funding for the health sector.

The consequences of the healthcare system's collapse are severe, with increased risks of illness and death, particularly for mothers and children. Caesarean sections, emergency obstetric care, and surgical procedures are at risk of becoming unavailable, leading to more deaths. The lack of access to healthcare, especially for women and children, will have a devastating impact on the country.

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