FAO: Afghanistan is Facing a Looming Hunger Catastrophe  

GENEVA - The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization warns millions of Afghans are at risk of starving if farmers do not receive the seeds they need to plant their winter wheat crop before the end of the month. 

About 70% of all Afghans live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.  The Food and Agriculture Organization reports one in three people, or 14 million are suffering from acute hunger, with four million on the brink of famine.  The FAO director of emergencies and resilience, Rein Paulsen, says more than 20% of households are facing catastrophic gaps in their food consumption.  He says malnutrition levels are soaring and many children risk dying.  Speaking on a video link from Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, Paulsen says Afghanistan’s critical winter wheat season is under threat.  This, from the prevailing drought, as well as the many uncertainties due to the fluid political and military situation in the country.