3,500 tons of Soybeans, Wheat left undecided at Afghanistan-Pakistan border: WFP

Around 3,500 tons of soybean-wheat mixture is stranded at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, hindering the distribution of crucial food supplies, Khaama Press reported quoting the World Food Program (WFP).

The delay poses a significant risk for 378,000 pregnant women who are part of the malnutrition treatment program, WFP officials warned.

The international organization forecasts that 15.8 million individuals in Afghanistan will face severe food insecurity between November 2023 and March 2024, with 3.6 million in dire emergencies.

Additionally, 4 million Afghans, including 3.2 million children under five years old, are grappling with acute malnutrition, the WFP statement adds.

The WFP says it has successfully delivered over 25,000 metric tons of mixed food to Afghanistan, but around 34,000 metric tons remain stranded in WFP warehouses abroad, exacerbating the plight of millions already suffering from food insecurity and malnutrition.

With 23.7 million Afghans in need of aid, the lack of clarity regarding the reasons for the border delays adds to the urgency of addressing the crisis effectively.

The dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has reached alarming levels since the Taliban assumed control, with urgent and concerted action essential to alleviate the suffering and prevent further escalation of the crisis.