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DEC Afghanistan appeal.jpg
DEC Afghanistan appeal.jpg
World News

Christian charities join emergency appeal as 22m face starvation in Afghanistan

by Heather Preston

An emergency appeal was launched on Wednesday to tackle the hunger crisis in Afghanistan.

As Afghanistan feels the effects of long term conflict, political instability, climate change and Covid, its people face a desperate need for humanitarian aid.

According to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), 22 million Afghan people are at risk of starvation this winter, with more than eight million thought to be on the brink of famine. 

Children there are dying, while a million under the age of five could lose their lives over the next three months, as temperatures drop.

The DEC Afghanistan Crisis Appeal is raising essential funds to care for the most vulnerable in the country.

Donations will help DEC charity partners such as CAFOD, Tearfund and Christian Aid to provide lifesaving assistance in the form of emergency fuel, food, clean drinking water, winter kits and medical support.

CAFOD's head of Asia region, Janet Symes told Premier that life is incredibly difficult for the Afghan people right now.

"They've just come through decades of conflict, one of the worst draughts they've experienced in 27 years and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. All of this has combined to create a really difficult situation in the country where about half the population are facing acute hunger at the moment."

Symes explains that as winter sets in across the country many people don't have access to warm clothes and can't afford to heat their homes.

CAFOD is particularly committed to providing cash assistance to those living in hard to reach areas of Afghanistan, vulnerable women and children and those living with disabilities.

A donation of £10 could provide treatment to a child suffering from malnutrition for three weeks while £20 could feed a family for a week and £25 could provide blankets for 5 people during the winter months.

The appeal is being broadcast on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky and commercial radio on Wednesday 15th December. 

The UK government has pledged to match up to £10 million in fundraised public donations.

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