Pakistan and Afghanistan to face impending food insecurity

The Food and Agriculture organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) believe that food insecurity in Nations like Pakistan and Afghanistan is rising. The authorities have asserted that they have witnessed acute food insecurity within these nations. The two bodies state that the major reason for this situation is the economic and political crisis. The FAO and the WFP have declared both the nations as early earning Hotspots. 

Both the UN bodies have issued the warnings for Pakistan and Afghanistan in this regard from June to November. Along with Pakistan, WFP report has also named the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo as high concern hotspots. The reports also mention names Myanmar in the same respect.

The reports suggest that all the countries that they have named are home to high numbers of people battling food insecurity. The indicators that these bodies use are also worsening rapidly. Accordingly, the authorities believe that life threatening situations and circumstances will worsen in the next few months. As per the reports, Pakistan is facing a critical time in terms of political turmoil. At the same time, the economy of the country is also under significant strain. 

The IMF bailout that the institution had promised Pakistan is also getting delayed for the past seven months. Meanwhile, the foreign reserves of the country are diminishing and the value of their currency is also depreciating. Accordingly, the country is unable to afford basic and essential food items and energy. The food item scarcity is driving up prices and causing nationwide energy cuts. 

The reports suggest that between the months of September to December 2023, 8.5 Million people in Pakistan will likely face scarcity of food. The economic and political crisis in the country are reducing the buying capacity of the households. Further, sources reveal that 70% households in Afghanistan can not get access to two proper meals in a day.