WFP cautiously optimistic about food programme for 2001

WFP is cautiously optimistic about its food outlook for this year acting country director Peter Goosens told IRIN on Tuesday. “One of the donors is seriously considering a major contribution. If this happens, this will enable us to do most of what we wish to do in Afghanistan in 2001.” This not withstanding, WFP is still urgently in need of additional donor assistance. Asked to estimate how many people are currently at risk current within Afghanistan, WFP programme officer for Afghanistan Pippa Bradford told IRIN: “Those at severe risk in Afghanistan urgently requiring WFP assistance amount to over two million people.” Bradford noted that food aid to the northwest Badgis Faryab and Ghor provinces in the country was especially critical given drought conditions there, the worst to hit the country in 30 years. “Without WFP assistance, many of these people are not expected to survive”, Bradford warned. UN officials are concerned the situation in Afghanistan will further deteriorate if the drought ruins next year’s harvest and international donor assistance is not forthcoming. According to Goosens, “The needs in Afghanistan are such that further contributions are still very much needed.”