Drought

The country was still recovering from the devastating drought of 1998-2003 and the impact of war and conflict, but it is now facing yet another drought. Most rain-fed crops (estimated to constitute 85% of the cultivated land) have failed. 2.5 million people are at risk mainly in the north, west and central regions of Afghanistan. Many water sources have dried up. Due to the reduced availability of fodder, livestock mortality rates have increased and livestock prices have fallen. Families with no reserves, are migrating to other places for work. Women are suffering the most in meeting the needs of their families and some families are so hard pressed that they see the "bride price" as a means of income and are marrying their daughters off early.

In response to a request from the Afghanistan Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, three ACT members Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan (CWS-P/A), Christian Aid (CA) and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) conducted a rapid assessment of the effects of drought in seven provinces, namely, Wardak, Bamiyan Herat, Badghis, Faryab, Ghor and Farah in north-western, western and central regions of Afghanistan. The assessment revealed that food and water scarcity (both drinking and for irrigation) has affected the population adversely. 2.5 million Afghans are facing acute shortage of food due to the drought, in addition to the existing 6.5 million people who are chronically or seasonally food insecure.

The ACT Forum in Afghanistan has decided to launch an Appeal to help the most vulnerable drought affected. There are five ACT Members in Afghanistan - Christian Aid (CA), Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan (CWS-P/A), United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), and Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA). Currently, there are two ACT members working on a proposal, namely, CWS-P/A and CA.

The response is planned for the provinces of Wardak, Bamiyan Herat, Badghis, Faryab, Ghor and Farah and will focus on providing water, cash for work projects, fodder for livestock as well as other activities such as livelihood and psycho-social support. It is also planned to create community assets such as water reservoirs and dams to minimise the impact of future drought in the. Some of the relief activities have already started.

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org).