Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

14 Provinces Threatened By Drought: Khalili

14 Provinces Threatened By Drought: Khalili

KABUL - A severe drought is threatening 14 provinces of Afghanistan's 34 provinces and Kabul needs 6.8 trillion Afghanis in assistance to deal with the situation, a senior official said on Saturday.
Balkh, Samangan, Takhar, Herat, Badghis, Ghor, Sari-i-Pul, Faryab, Jawzjan, Baghlan, Kunduz, Badakhshan, Bamyan, Daikundi are under threat, said Vice President Karim Khalili, also chairman of the committee for emergency assistance.

Millions of people and animals were under threat, Khalili told a news conference in Kabul. A survey conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock shows this year's draught is more severe.

Although the ministry has distributed 40,000 tons of wheat, 5,000 tons of rice, 10,000 tons of improved seeds and 20,000 tons of animal feed, foreign assistance is still needed, according to the VP.
The distribution of 9,500 tons of animal feed -- purchased from the Japanese government with the help of World Food Program (WFP) -- would start soon in the 14 provinces, he said.

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Asif Rahimi told lawmakers on September 28 the Afghan government would ask the international community for $598 million to cope with draught and emergency situations.
Based on the survey by his ministry, about 200,000 families need emergency assistance. The ministry has 40,000 tons of wheat and feed for 20,000 animals for use in emergency situations.