Following global concern about the poor economic situation in Afghanistan, Save the Children in a recent report said that Afghanistan is facing its worst food crisis, with 5 million children on the brink of starvation.
According to the organization, about two in three children in Afghanistan – or 12 million – whose families depend on farming to survive, are struggling to get enough to eat daily due to the country’s worst drought in decades and are facing forecasts of below-average rains this wet season.
“Humanitarian aid can alleviate urgent needs, but it can’t prop up an entire economy. “Until we address the economic crisis, families will have no other option but to resort to desperate measures like selling their children or sending their children to work, which there is no way back from. With so much of the country already on the brink of famine, time is of the essence,” said Save the Children’s Country Director in Afghanistan, Chris Nyamandi.
Meanwhile, some children's rights activists said that international organizations should pay close attention to children's protection in Afghanistan.
“Farmers who are facing drought today, they should be provided with irrigation systems so their children can grow up,” said Homaira Farhangyar, a women's and children's rights activist.
“Unless there are appropriate solutions to improve the economic situation of the people, such crises can have very negative effects in the short and long-term on the situation of children in Afghanistan,” said Zarqa Yaftali, a women's and children's rights activist.
An expert on economic issues says that in order to prevent drought, the country's waters must be managed.
“If the drought continues, it will affect the Afghan people, especially children. I think the Islamic Emirate should work to address the problem of water shortage in Afghanistan by managing water and building irrigation systems,” said Abdul Nasir Reshtia, an economist.
The report also said that the negative effects of climate change are increasing and the planet is getting warmer with each passing day, which is why Afghanistan is facing severe climate change.
Comment this post