Save the Children and four other NGOs in a joint statement on Monday warned about the lack of rainfall and worsening weather conditions in Afghanistan.

“Some 25 out of 34 provinces are suffering from either severe or catastrophic drought conditions, affecting more than half the 40 million population,” said Action Against Hunger (ACF), International Medical Corps (IMC), Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), Save the Children International (SCI) and World Vision International (WVI) in a joint statement. 

According to the statement, Afghanistan is currently enduring its worst drought in the past 30 years

"Vulnerable children and families who rely on subsistence agriculture will be significantly affected without increased rain and snow. Afghanistan is one of the world’s most vulnerable places to the impacts of the climate crisis and is currently enduring its worst drought in 30 years. Some 25 out of 34 provinces are suffering from either severe or catastrophic drought conditions, affecting more than half the 40 million population,” the joint statement reads. 

“There is no water, if we cultivate anything such as mung bean, barley, or anything else, there is no water and there are no results,” Abdul Wahid, a farmer, told TOLOnews regarding the drought. 

According to the statement, between 1 October 2023 and 15 January 2024, Afghanistan experienced only 45% to 60% of the average precipitation compared with previous years. 

“The government should build standard dams and implement projects so that the water in Afghanistan can be managed for the people to use, like Kunar, which should be used a lot as the people of Afghanistan face severe drought,” said Mirwais Haji Zada, the deputy of the Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) said that climate change has caused the drought and asked the international community to help in this regard. 

“We ask all the countries and aid organizations to cooperate with us in the fight against this disaster and help the farmers of the country who have been affected by severe drought,” said Misbahuddin Mustaeen, the spokesman of MAIL.
 
According to the statement, based on international estimates, 8.7 million children in 2024 will not have access to enough food, and while the families continue to flee provinces due to drought, the prevalence of diseases like cholera and poverty will worsen.