Winter Weather Threatens Aid to Afghanstan

As winter closes in on Afghanistan, the United Nations is warning of an impending humanitarian crisis if food if not delivered to remote regions of the country before the weather turns harsh. Heavy snows and cold weather often make travel in the war torn country more difficult.

In a press release from the UN Integrated Regional Information Network, Tom Hoenigs, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Afghanistan and head of the World Food Program said "Food shortages and the winter could produce a human catastrophe. We want and need a humanitarian space to reach communities."

Rick Corsino, the head of the WFP in Afghanistan agreed and noted that the provinces of Badghis, Daikundi and Ghor are the areas that most need food assistance before snows fall. More than 14,000 metric tonnes of mixed food are needed in Ghor and other areas before late November, but the WFP is facing difficulty in delivering the supplies to those in need.

With mountainous terrain in the central-west, central and northeastern parts if the country, winter snowfall makes it difficult to reach the 400,000 people most in need of food aid in remote parts of Afghanistan. "Time is running out and we need to move the food quickly," said Corsino.

In addition to trying to beat the seasons, WFP workers encounter difficulty moving food assistance through the country due to continuing violence. Five attacks were carried on WFP food trucks in 2006, but attacks have surged to 30 so far this year. Forty humanitarian workers have died this year and 76 have been abducted this year. Gunmen have also looted or ambushed 45 humanitarian facilities and 55 aid convoys. The attacks have resulted in over 1000 metric tonnes of food being wasted and have caused a transportation cost spike of 50 per cent.

The UN has issued a plea to Taliban insurgents and other fighting factions to allow the aid workers, regardless of political affiliation, to perform their job without attack. Koenig said, "This is not a political question. This is a question of moral obligation."

The WFP is better equipped to help those in need this winter and has plenty of food, but is challenged by continuing food delivery problems, especially in areas that are inaccessible in the winter. According to the WFP, there is a potential for displaced Afghan citizens if food assistance fails to reach Ghor before December.

Source: UN IRIN Press Release