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Current Situation
Millions of people in Afghanistan, including Afghan refugees returning from neighboring countries, are facing hunger because of a food shortage caused by a prolonged dry spell.

The imminent food crisis is expected to affect an estimated 2.5 million people. This is in addition to the 6.5 million people who are already seasonally or chronically food insecure.

Once it takes hold, the drought could force households to consume their harvest earlier than normal, leading to a steady increase in malnutrition; animals and household assets may be sold and migration to urban centers will occur. Unfortunately, some of these circumstances have already been witnessed in the north, south and west of the country.

Many of the water wells and rivers have dried up; orchard and agriculture crops are damaged; large numbers of livestock have been lost; and soon the spread of waterborne diseases will take effect.

Much of the country's wheat crop has failed this year because of the drought. The output of wheat – considered the essential food crop in Afghanistan – has been decreasing by 90 to 100 percent. There has been as steady increase to food prices.

Also adding to the problem, there is intensified fighting in the south of the country. The conflict has left thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and farmers unable to farm their lands.

Islamic Relief's Action
Islamic Relief has already allocated a monetary amount for an emergency intervention. These funds will go towards the distribution of food items/packets to families affected by the drought, those that have been displaced by the fighting, and those that are unable to afford the high cost of food due to its scarcity.

Areas that will be targeted for distribution include Kandahar and Kabul.

In addition, the United Nations and the Government of Afghanistan have jointly appealed for $76.4 million worth of food aid.