Aid funding shortfall could push Afghans into famine - WFP

The family of Khair Mohammad, who has lost his legs due to mine explosion, poses for a photograph in their house in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 19, 2023. REUTERS/Sayed Hassib

KABUL (Reuters) - A drop in donor funding could push parts of Afghanistan into famine this year, the World Food Programme said on Monday, adding that up to 9 million Afghans could be left without food aid after it had already had to slash rations.

A huge humanitarian aid package after the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021 - leading to foreign governments cutting development funding and imposing sanctions - helped avert a widespread famine then, but now those fears are rising again.