Australia pledges $3.6m in drought relief aid

The World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday welcomed a new contribution of AUD 5 million ($3.6 million) from the Australian government to provide food assistance for people affected by the drought in Afghanistan.

The World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday welcomed a new contribution of AUD 5 million ($3.6 million) from the Australian government to provide food assistance for people affected by the drought in Afghanistan.

This brings Australia’s total contribution to WFP’s operations in Afghanistan to AUD15 million in 2018.

In a statement issued by the WFP, the organization will use the contribution for a joint response to the drought-affected population in Afghanistan’s 20 provinces.

This includes sourcing wheat grain from the Government of Afghanistan Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR). WFP will distribute the wheat flour to affected families, complementing a food basket with food like fortified vegetable oil, pulses and iodized salt. 

“Australia’s humanitarian assistance focuses on supporting the most vulnerable, with a particular focus on women, children and people with a disability,” said Australia’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Nicola Gordon-Smith.

Afghanistan is currently dealing with a severe drought that has affected 20 out of the country’s 34 provinces.

WFP is working with the Afghan government, mainly Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock to release wheat from its reserves. The wheat will be milled, fortified and distributed among families affected by the drought.