Food security has become a distant reality for Afghanistan.
After Afghanistan's economic collapse and drought, occasioned by its natural climate, the country is facing severe food insecurity. Currently, 13 million Afghans are experiencing IPC Phase 3 (Crisis Level), while 6.6 million are enduring IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). These phases indicate a well-developed emergency as extreme poverty continues to overwhelm the population.
The lack of access to and availability of food is glaring, with 95% of the country's households experiencing inadequate amounts of food for consumption and sustainability. The dreaded IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe/Famine) is increasingly becoming a looming reality. In the coming months, the country is expected to see a rise in starvation, pushing more people into IPC Phase 5, which already affects 20,000 Afghans as of May 2022. This phase signifies catastrophe, underscoring the urgent need to address extreme hunger and malnutrition to prevent further loss of life.
The notion of food security appears more like an ideal than a reality for many, especially in Afghanistan. According to the United Nations (UN), food security is defined as the condition in which people have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and preferences for an active and healthy life. However, despite humanitarian efforts, food insecurity remains a pervasive global issue.
Like many other parts of the world, Afghanistan's food crisis is exacerbated by soaring food prices and low wages, creating a harsh competition for basic sustenance.
Solutions
Humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations, have pledged to provide Afghanistan with resources to mitigate its food insecurity crisis. The UN has set a goal of training 1 million Afghans in vocational skills to improve their earning potential. This initiative aims to enable them to purchase nutritious food and gradually restore food security.
Additionally, the UN is implementing programs both directly and indirectly aimed at protecting and enhancing agricultural livelihoods. Given that agricultural products sustain a significant portion of Afghanistan's population, these efforts are critical. At least 1 million feeding programs are being made accessible through schools to address the hunger and malnutrition crisis among children.
Raising incomes for Afghan workers is also vital. This can be achieved by negotiating reduced tax rates and expanding provisions for tax rebates, especially on revenue taxes collected by the Taliban. Furthermore, generating foreign exchange through the export of goods and services, as well as investments, could strengthen Afghanistan's economy. This stimulation of exports could positively impact the country's ability to combat extreme hunger and malnutrition.
Conclusion
An immediate recovery from food insecurity in Afghanistan cannot be guaranteed. However, organizations such as the United Nations remain committed to fighting global poverty and hunger. By allocating resources to the country and its population, they continue to combat extreme hunger and malnutrition while striving to restore food security in one of the world's most at-risk regions.
