Afghanistan Times
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KABUL — The Taliban-run Ministry of Agriculture announced on Tuesday that the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) plans to dedicate 42% of its activities in Afghanistan to development projects in 2024. The statement claimed that Richard Trenchard, FAO’s country representative, shared this plan during a meeting with Taliban Agriculture Minister Ataullah Usmani. According to the ministry, Trenchard emphasized FAO’s commitment to supporting Afghan farmers while aiming to expand development initiatives in the coming year. The FAO has not publicly confirmed the claims or commented on the meeting.
This announcement comes amid an escalating hunger crisis in Afghanistan. The World Food Programme (WFP) recently reported that approximately 12.4 million Afghans are experiencing “acute” food insecurity, with mothers and children particularly affected. Afghanistan is among 22 nations identified by WFP as facing severe hunger crises, and the organization has warned that insufficient funding could make its operations in the country unsustainable.
The humanitarian crisis is further exacerbated by significant cuts in international aid, which the United Nations attributes to Taliban-imposed restrictions, particularly on women’s participation in the workforce. The U.N. has warned that reduced donor funding has caused severe budget shortfalls for aid organizations, intensifying the plight of millions of vulnerable Afghans.
As Afghanistan continues to grapple with these challenges, the extent of FAO’s planned involvement and its potential impact on the worsening humanitarian situation remain uncertain.
