WFP: Afghans May Face Severe Hunger

By KATHY GANNON
The Associated Press

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Millions of impoverished Afghans face the prospect of severe food shortages this winter, the World Food Program said in a statement today.

Soaring wheat prices, a bad harvest and reduced supplies from neighboring Pakistan all have contributed to a worrisome situation in Afghanistan, WFP said in a statement released in neighboring Pakistan.

Supplies fell as a result of efforts by Pakistan's new army rulers to halt smuggling across Pakistan's porous border with Afghanistan, say government officials. Smuggling is believed to cost Pakistan billions of dollars in lost revenue from import and sales taxes.

Many people in the ravaged Afghan capital of Kabul blame United Nations sanctions imposed on Nov. 14 for the food shortages.

The sanctions, imposed to pressure the ruling Taliban army to hand over suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden for trial either in the United States or in a third country, do not directly effect food or humanitarian aid. But shop owners say they have helped drive up prices.

WFP said hunger in Kabul is a major concern with an estimated 266,000 people dependent on food aid from the United Nations. Hundreds of thousands more receive subsidized food from other aid organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross.

WFP urged neighboring countries to increase food supplies to Afghanistan. There was no immediate comment from the Pakistan government, which is considered a strong ally of the Taliban Islamic army, which rules 90 percent of Afghanistan. The northern-based opposition rules the remaining 10 percent.