KABUL (Pajhwok Afghan News) — The United Kingdom on Monday announced a new aid package of £10 mln in emergency food supplies for 1.4 mln drought-hit Afghans. The UK support is part of a response being coordinated by the United Nations and the government of Afghanistan. It will help prevent displacement of families who could otherwise be forced to leave their homes.

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt, announcing the aid, said: “The drought in Afghanistan is an unfolding crisis, with 1.4 million people’s lives at risk when this year’s harvest fails in a number of provinces in only a matter of weeks.” A statement from the British embassy quoted her as urging other countries to join the international effort to support some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

This UK aid package will provide immediate food and nutrition aid for 441,000 people who are already in a critical situation, including by distributing fortified wheat flour, vegetable oil, pulses, salt and other nutritious foods to prevent malnutrition.

The UK support is part of a response being coordinated by the United Nations and the Afghan government of Afghanistan. It will help prevent displacement of families who could otherwise be forced to leave their homes and communities.