Afghanistan could face severe food shortages as Taliban comes to power

Kabul/United Nations – The Taliban are all set to form a government led by Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada. Although the Taliban has succeeded in creating a government by setting aside the differences among its factions, the real test for the Taliban government will be in the near future because Afghanistan’s food reserves will last only a month. A senior UN official has warned that the poor in Afghanistan will need about USD 200 million worth of food in a month.

For the past two days, Taliban leaders have been appeasing faction leaders and small group leaders by making them a part of the government. It is claimed that Pashtun leaders have a place in the new Taliban government. Women and the other minorities in Afghanistan will also be accommodated soon, senior Taliban leaders have assured the media. It is clear from the statements of the Taliban spokespersons that the Taliban is not ready to invite any controversies at present.

The Taliban tried to avoid internal conflicts, and although they succeeded to some extent, soon Mullah Akhundzada will have to face a bigger challenge. By the end of September, the people of Afghanistan will be facing severe food scarcity. While speaking to the media, Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan, gave this information.

Under the United Nations‘ World Food Program, food is supplied to Afghanistan on an international level. This assistance is provided to Afghans who have been displaced due to the conflict over the past several years. But since the Taliban took control of Kabul, international aid to Afghanistan has been cut off. Alakbarov said Afghanistan has food supplies that will last only for a month because all countries are reluctant to continue with supplies.

At least USD 200 million is needed to prevent food shortages in Afghanistan, Alakbarov said. He also called on the international community to help alleviate the hunger of the Afghan people. Former Afghan Finance Minister Khalid Payenda pointed to the rapidly declining value of the country’s currency. The Afghan currency, the Afghani, is currently valued at 88 per US dollar. But in the next few days, the value of the Afghani could fall by more than 100 per cent, Payenda warned. ‘If this happens, the people of our country will have to face even more severe problems,’ he said.