A few years back I witnessed extreme humanitarian need across Afghanistan. One of Asia's poorest countries, millions of people were living below the poverty line. It was heartbreaking to see first-hand the impacts of one the highest child mortality rates in the world. To witness one of the most disaster-prone countries on earth routinely enduring severe droughts, earthquakes and flash floods.
This year I returned to see that these humanitarian needs have intensified. One of the worst droughts in decades has crippled food production across the country, livestock has perished, and millions of families in rural and regional areas are going without adequate food on a daily basis. Around 23 million people are experiencing high levels of acute food shortages. Among those most at risk are 3.2 million children under five suffering acute malnutrition.
International sanctions imposed on the country have deepened economic hardships being experienced by millions. Many have not been paid for months, essential services are not being delivered, and large parts of the healthcare system are on the brink of collapse.
