Five organizations warn of climate change effects in Afghanistan

KABUL (Khaama Press): During this winter in Afghanistan, as rainfall and snowfall remain scarce, five international organizations, including the World Food Program and the World Health Organization, have issued warnings about climate change and the deteriorating climate conditions in the country.
These statements were made in a joint statement on Monday, February 5th, by Save the Children Organization, the World Vision International, the World Food Program, the World Health Organization, and the Islamic Relief Worldwide Organization.
In the joint statement of these organizations, it is mentioned that currently, 25 provinces in Afghanistan are facing drought conditions.
The International Relief Organizations’ statement further elaborates: “From October 1, 2023, to January 15, 2024, Afghanistan has experienced an average of 45% to 60% of the rainfall volume of previous years. Experts also predict that above-average temperatures are very likely between February and April 2024.”
Meanwhile, the International Child Protection Organization continues to warn that approximately 7.8 million children in Afghanistan do not have enough food, and if the drought intensifies and food resources become insufficient, these children will be at risk. Furthermore, in the statement of these organizations, it is pointed out that the lack of rain also creates favourable conditions for the spread of various diseases. It is worth noting that the organizations emphasize that “four million pregnant or lactating women and children under five are currently suffering from severe malnutrition.”
It was announced yesterday by the Ministry of Higher Education and the National Environmental Protection Agency of Afghanistan during a joint meeting that an international climate change conference will be held at Nangarhar University next week. Previously, the United Nations had declared that Afghanistan experienced its worst drought in the past 30 years. Afghanistan has been repeatedly and continuously facing drought in recent decades.
Afghanistan is among the countries that do not have a significant role in climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions, but it has been severely affected by its consequences, such as drought, extreme weather events, and floods.