The non-government organizations Save the Children International, Action Against Hunger, International Medical Corps, Islamic Aid in the World, and World Vision International warned in this capital that the Asian country is currently suffering the worst drought in the last 30 years.

Some 25 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces are suffering from severe or catastrophic drought conditions, affecting more than half of the country’s 40 million people, the joint statement said.

The document reflects that children and vulnerable families dependent on subsistence agriculture will be significantly affected if rainfall and snowfall do not increase.

Between October 1, 2023 and January 15, 2024, Afghanistan experienced only 45 to 60% the average rainfall compared to previous years.

According to the statement, based on international estimates, 8.7 million children in 2024 will not have access to sufficient food; and as families continue to flee provinces due to drought, the prevalence of diseases such as cholera and poverty will worsen.

ef/arm/mem/nv