KABUL - The Afghan Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development said on Tuesday that more than 7 million people are facing drought and starvation in the country. The Natural Resources and Environment Committee of Afghan Parliament said that more 90 per cent of rain-fed lands have not had enough rain this year. Members of Emergency Situations Committee have said that if the situation is not dealt with properly, the country will face migration, regional conflict, animal deaths, and disease.

"I call on the donors and international community [to recognize] that 7.3 per cent of Afghan population is starving," Jarullah Mansoori, Minister for Rural Rehabilitation and Development, said.

"People have started to eat grass. Please tell us about your exact plan? How much food do we have in each area?" Fauzia Kofi, an MP from Badakhshan province, asked the minister.

The head of the Parliament's natural resources committee, Obaidullah Ramin, confirmed that this coming winter will be a difficult one for those suffering drought.

"Unfortunately, more than 90 per cent of rain-fed lands have been destroyed due to drought," Mr Ramin said.

The Deputy Minister for Rural Rehabilitation and Development also spoke about the blockage of roads in 23 provinces because of heavy snow fall.

"We have drought in 14 provinces and more than 2.6 per cent of Afghan people are vulnerable," Mohammad Daim Kakar, head of the disaster prevention department, said.

The natural resources committee criticized the preparations of emergency situations committee, calling them insufficient.