Drought hits Afghan region

The United Nations says the southern region of Kandahar in Afghanistan is suffering its worst drought in nearly forty years.

A statement by the UN Co-ordinator for Afghanistan said the rainfall this year was far below average.

It said the water pumps in Kandahar City, the headquarters of the Taleban, were running dry or supplying undrinkable water.

Sheep and goats are dying from lack of feed and the UN says the lack of safe water could trigger a new wave of diarrhoea, dysentry and other diseases.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service