About 19.7 million people – almost half of Afghanistan’s population – are facing severe hunger, which means they cannot feed themselves every day, according to the latest information Integrated food security stage classification (IPC) announced last month by the UN and aid partners, including FAO and the World Food Program (WFP).
“We are grateful to the World Bank and its Members for their generous and timely donations,” speak FAO Director General QU Dongyu.
‘Historical moment’
The effects of the war in Ukraine are exacerbating the food security situationpush food prices to new highs, increase the cost of food production, especially fertilizers, and put pressure on countries in the region that supply wheat to Afghanistan, restricting food exports, to ensure sufficient domestic supply.
The new Afghanistan Emergency Food Security Project will promote food crop production for small-scale Afghan farmers.
This is the first tranche to gross $195 million, with another $45 million to be released over the next 24 months.
“It is a historic moment for the poor farmers of Afghanistan, and it represents an important milestone in our collective effort to deliver results. at scale, avert an ongoing disaster and make truly transformative differences in the lives of vulnerable people,” said QU.
Focus on wheat
FAO will be the sole donor implementation partner, which will focus on two key components.
In terms of wheat production, it will support approximately 2.1 million people through the November and March-November plantings in 2023.
The project will also provide support focused on the nutritional needs of children, people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, and women-headed households. Seeds and basic tools will be provided for gardening in the backyard kitchen, along with technical training in improved nutrition and climate-smart production practices.
Targeting women
Nearly a million people will benefit from this support, especially rural women: some 150,000 of them will receive training in improved farming techniques and nutrition.
The project will help link beneficiaries with local markets to facilitate the sale of surplus wheat, vegetables and legumes in the market.
Enhances resilience
Second, the project will increase access to water for irrigation, while improving soil and conserving water.
It will also enhance climate resilience by supporting the restoration and improvement of selected basin and irrigation management systems on 137,000 hectares of land.
Through the project, it is hoped that more than 1.9 million people will benefit from cash for work activities, rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure and basin management.
Programs of FAO
In addition to food assistance, FAO’s food security project is one of three projects with a total value of 793 million USD, approved by the World Bank to provide essential health and livelihood services to the poor. the people of Afghanistan.
The World Bank also underpins other ongoing FAO programs in Afghanistan, funded by the Asian Development Bank and other donors.
Together, these activities provide immediate lifesaving support and livelihood protection with activities that can improve resilience and build longer-term resilience.
© FAO / Danfung Dennis
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), wheat, a staple food in Afghanistan, plays an important role in maintaining food security and nutrition.
