COP28: Addressing Afghanistan’s susceptibility to climate issues and the World Food Program’s initiatives
Kabul, November 30, 2023 (TDI): Aligning with a commitment set for the upcoming COP 28 summit, the World Food Program in Afghanistan has been actively implementing measures to assist Afghan communities in building resilience against climate challenges.
By constructing irrigation canals and flood protection barriers, the WFP has been aiding communities across Afghanistan in adapting to the escalating climate crisis, transforming arid lands into productive green fields for farming, providing sustenance for families.
A report released by the WFP highlighted the severe repercussions of environmental shifts in Afghanistan. Droughts have forced numerous Afghan families to flee their homes, relying solely on the food they grow and sell for survival.
The decreasing water levels and failing crops have led to mass migration from villages as families seek alternative livelihoods, rendering them more vulnerable, especially with winter approaching.
Climate change poses a significant threat globally, particularly to developing nations. For millions of Afghan families, droughts and crop failures leave them exposed and hungry. The WFP emphasized the urgent need to enhance resilience to climate shocks ahead of COP 28.
Highlighting one of their initiatives, the WFP pointed to the construction of a canal in Kunar province in 2020, which by 2023 had doubled agricultural output, diversified crop varieties, resolved community water issues, and mitigated climate-related disasters.
The World Food Program aids food-insecure populations in preparing for and recovering from climate-related crises. It plays a vital role in post-natural disaster relief, offering climate risk management strategies in 42 countries, benefitting over 15 million people.
As the world anticipates COP 28 in Dubai, the UN’s annual Climate Change Summit, the WFP hopes the pledges made will promptly translate into practical measures to safeguard those most affected by the intersection of climate change and conflict.