The United Nations and Afghanistan have launched a joint appeal for $76 million in food aid. “Afghanistan is facing an imminent food crisis due to inadequate rainfall in April and May and an expected shortfall in this year’s rain-fed wheat harvest,” the appeal said. “We came to the conclusion that the current drought is more acute than last year,” Vice President Mohammad Karim Khalili told reporters in Kabul. If the crisis is not addressed, some farmers, according to Khalili, might be tempted to go back to cultivating illegal opium poppies, which are less water-dependent than other crops. Prior to the announcement of the appeal, the U.S. pledged to donate $20 million to the World Food Program in Afghanistan. (Sources: Drought-hit Afghanistan ain food appeal/Agence France-Presse; Appeal launched for Afghan food aid/The Associated Press)
