The Republic of Korea provides WFP with US$5 million to support Afghan families in need

“Winter in Afghanistan is unforgiving. With no work and no food, families face the impossible choice to heat their homes or feed their children,” said H.E. Moon Sung-hwan, Chargé d'affaires, Republic of Korea to Afghanistan. “Currently, one-third of Afghanistan's population—nearly 15 million people—are going hungry and need food assistance to survive. The Republic of Korea stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan with our continued support to families most in need”.

With this contribution, WFP will assist nearly 37,000 food-insecure people with almost 2,000 metric tons of fortified wheat flour, vegetable oil, pulses and salt. More than 46,000 malnourished mothers will receive specialized nutritious food to prevent malnutrition and nearly 47,000 primary school children will receive a daily, nutritious school snack as part of WFP’s school feeding programme. Finally, WFP will support over 860 families to participate in activities that improve their livelihoods or enhance their community’s productivity and resilience to withstand climate shocks.

“Afghanistan remains a global hunger hotspot and the future looks grim for many families across the country. Rising malnutrition rates paint a bleak picture with nearly 3.5 million children and 1.2 million mothers expected to become malnourished next year,” said Hsiao-Wei Lee, WFP Country Director in Afghanistan. “It is thanks to investments by our partners, like the Republic of Korea, that we are able to continue to reach women and their children across the country with assistance.”

The Republic of Korea contributed US$36 million over the past five years to WFP’s activities in Afghanistan, placing the country squarely among the organization’s top ten donors for Afghanistan.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

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