Oxfam Says Five Million Afghans Need Food Aid
Afghan women receive food donations from the World Food Program
August 30, 2008
By RFE/RL
The charity Oxfam says 5 million people in Afghanistan face serious food shortages this coming winter.
The British-based group said there are several reasons for this including drought, high food prices, and spreading insecurity.
Oxfam international policy director Mat Waldman told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan that the "international community should act as swiftly as possible to provide assistance and aid to people who are affected by this crisis."
Oxfam said one of the hardest hit regions is central Daikundi, but many provinces have suffered.
"The joint appeal of the United Nations and the Afghan government has a target figure of some $404 million. And as we understand it, less that 20 percent of that has actually been committed by donors," Waldman said.
Oxfam has said that if the support is not forthcoming then mortality rates of children and of pregnant women and disease rates are likely to increase considerably.