South Korea donates $5 million to support food aid in Afghanistan

The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced that South Korea has donated $5 million to support vulnerable families in Afghanistan.

In a statement released on Tuesday, December 31, the WFP expressed its gratitude for South Korea’s contribution, highlighting that the donation comes at a critical time for Afghanistan. The WFP emphasized that this funding will be allocated to families facing severe food insecurity in the country.

The WFP stressed that this aid will be used to provide urgent food assistance to vulnerable families, support maternal nutrition, distribute daily snacks to children in schools, and bolster livelihoods and resilience in rural communities.

The statement further pointed out that this support from South Korea is especially crucial as, according to projections, one-third of the population—around 15 million people—will face a severe food crisis during the winter months in Afghanistan.

Additionally, South Korea’s Charge d’Affaires in Afghanistan, Moon Seong-Hwan, expressed his country’s commitment to supporting Afghan families in need. He noted that currently, one-third of Afghanistan’s population—around 15 million people—are hungry and require food aid for survival. He also described the Afghan winter as “brutal,” with families forced to make difficult choices between keeping their homes warm or feeding their children.

Reports indicate that more than 46,000 mothers suffering from malnutrition will receive specialized nutritious food, while nearly 47,000 children will benefit from daily nutritious snacks at school.

Meanwhile, Hsiao Wei Lee, the WFP’s Afghanistan Country Director, warned about the increasing malnutrition in the country. He emphasized that with South Korea’s help, the WFP will be able to reach and support women and children across Afghanistan. He added that it is expected that next year, around 3.5 million children and 1.2 million mothers will suffer from malnutrition.

This comes as several international aid organizations have raised alarms about the escalating needs of the Afghan population with the onset of the cold season. According to WFP statistics, South Korea has contributed $36 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan over the past five years.

South Korea’s timely and generous donation plays a vital role in alleviating the suffering of Afghanistan’s most vulnerable communities. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing global commitment to humanitarian assistance and highlights the urgency of addressing food insecurity, particularly in conflict-affected regions. The collaborative efforts of international organizations and donor nations are critical in alleviating the humanitarian crisis and providing essential support to those in need.

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