KEY DEVELOPMENTS
· The prolonged onset and poor performance of the October 2010 to February 2011 rain and snow season in northern Afghanistan is expected to result in a below-normal wheat crop production and poor pasture conditions, according to the USAID-supported Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET). As a result, households residing in these areas will likely experience increased food insecurity and a shortage of labor opportunities until the next harvest season in May 2012.
· In response to food security concerns, USAID’s Office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP) recently contributed 9,190 metric tons (MT) of P.L. 480 Title II Emergency Food Assistance, valued at approximately $20.1 million, to the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) in Afghanistan, bringing USAID/FFP’s total contribution to 74,991 MT of emergency food assistance, valued at $123.7 million, to date in FY 2011. With USAID/FFP support, WFP, in conjunction with several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), is providing emergency food assistance to an estimated 4 million food-insecure individuals in Afghanistan.
· Since April 2011, USAID/OFDA has provided more than $6.6 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, bringing USAID/OFDA’s total assistance to nearly $27.6 million to date in FY 2011. USAID/OFDA-supported FY 2011 programs are benefiting up to 2.9 million beneficiaries in Afghanistan, including up to 415,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs).
· Recently provided USAID/OFDA funding includes $1.5 million for the International Medical Corps (IMC) to increase the capacity of local communities and organizations to prepare for and respond to the risks associated with rapid onset disasters and other acute humanitarian needs in high-risk and insecure regions of eastern Afghanistan. In addition, USAID/OFDA recently provided more than $3.5 million to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to strengthen the ability of four local NGOs to respond to humanitarian needs in six disaster-prone Afghan provinces.
