5 July 2021 – by Atoosa Gitiforoz
Warnings of drought come amid escalating conflict ahead of the withdrawal of US troops and NATO forces. Coronavirus has also worsened an already poor health system where over a third of the population experiences food insecurity, rising prices and unemployment.
In 2018, a drought caused 250,000 people to flee their homes. The slow aid response meant it was only until the government declared drought, action was taken. West Afghanistan saw families flee to areas outside Herat City, where thousands still remain displaced. This coming drought is expected to bring below-average wheat harvest and adverse impacts on livestock.
Aid groups say that they are better prepared for this drought – humanitarian groups have a plan that includes food and cash aid, support for livestock and water wells. However, ‘according to international forecast models, average precipitation and above-average temperature conditions are expected from June to August 2021.’ Donor funds are also stretched across the globe. Only 12% of the funding required for the 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan has been received.
Afghanistan will need significant humanitarian support for the foreseeable future across many areas. Heat waves and more droughts are expected in Afghanistan as temperatures rise. Climate change is likely to push the aid sector to act more pre-emptively.
