‘Alarming’ security situation impeding UN feeding programme in Afghanistan

With military action against insurgents in southern and eastern Afghanistan uprooting civilians and worsening conditions for people already in chronic need of food, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reported today that the “alarming” security situation is impeding its operations.

“Nearly 15,000 families have been reportedly displaced as a result of the fighting in the Kandahar area,” WFP said in its latest update, referring to just one embattled area.

In the past week, the Agency assisted 164,400 people throughout the country with 780 metric tons of mixed commodities through various programmes including Food for Education, assistance to tuberculosis patients, and emergency food for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and flood and drought victims.

But “the overall security situation throughout Afghanistan remains alarming and continues to impose limits on WFP operations,” the update noted.

“Incidents including kidnappings, explosive devices and suicide bomb attacks continue to be reported throughout the country,” it added. “The murder of Safia Amma Jan, Director of Kandahar Women Affairs Department, during the week is not only shocking but an example of the precarious environment in Afghanistan.”

Contributions to the joint Government-UN drought appeal of July remains at $32 million, 63 per cent of the amount requested for food assistance, the Agency said.