The government of India and World Food Program (WFP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to supply 10,000 metric tons of wheat to Afghanistan, WFP said in a recent report.

The 10,000 mt is the final tranche of 50,000 mt of wheat committed to the people of Afghanistan in 2020 but which was delayed due to problems with transportation.

The WFP meanwhile said that nearly 19 million people – half of the population – are facing acute food insecurity, compounded by the recent earthquake that struck the eastern part of the country in June.

“The Indian wheat has been a lifeline for Afghan families facing hunger and is a critical part of WFP’s humanitarian response. Generous support such as this has helped WFP and its partners avert a humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan,” said Bishow Parajuli, WFP’s Representative and Country Director in India.

“WFP continues its aid. We are trying to pay more attention to areas where with the first snow, the paths are being locked. We are trying to take the aid to the place before the winter and before the paths are closed for transit to provide enough food material there,” said Waheedullah Amani, a spokesman for the WFP in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the residents of Kabul said that the aid should be provided transparently for the people who deserve it.

“Over the past 8 to 9 months I have not received any aid, no one gave me aid,” said Abdul Jalil, a resident of Kabul.

“The aid should be provided to those who need it, not to those who don’t need it,” said Irfanullah, a resident of Kabul.

Based on the available numbers of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Afghanistan will produce less wheat this year compared to the previous years.