KABUL, Afghanistan — The French government has committed 3 million euros (approximately $3.3 million) to support the World Food Programme’s efforts to address malnutrition among Afghan mothers and children, as Afghanistan continues to grapple with a severe hunger crisis.
WFP said the funds, allocated from France’s Food Assistance Program (FAP), will bolster WFP’s school feeding and nutrition initiatives across Afghanistan, targeting the country’s most vulnerable populations.
Over 15,000 primary school students will receive a daily nutritious snack, while more than 35,000 children will take home monthly rations of vegetable oil to support family nutrition, WFP said.
Additionally, nearly 60,000 young children and more than 10,000 pregnant or breastfeeding women will receive specialized nutritional support.
“More than three-quarters of families in Afghanistan cannot afford the basic, nutritious diet needed to prevent malnutrition,” said Salina Grenet-Catalano, Director of Global Affairs at France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. “France is prioritizing the fight against malnutrition, especially as we prepare to host the next Nutrition for Growth summit in Paris in March 2025. We remain committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan in meeting these critical needs.”
According to WFP, Afghanistan’s food crisis has worsened in recent years due to severe funding shortages. This year, the WFP says, it was forced to suspend food assistance to 2 million women and children, and last year, financial constraints led the organization to cut 10 million people from food aid programs, escalating malnutrition rates and putting entire provinces at risk of falling back into emergency conditions.
“This contribution comes at a crucial moment for Afghan mothers and children who are hardest hit by the hunger crisis,” said Harald Mannhardt, WFP’s Deputy Country Director in Afghanistan. “Afghanistan is now a global hunger hotspot, with more than a quarter of the population going hungry. Nine out of ten women-headed households cannot afford adequate food.”
According to the WFP, France’s recent €3 million contribution brings its total support for WFP’s Afghan programs to €6 million ($6.5 million) in 2024, building on nearly $16 million in aid over the past two years. This continued commitment places France among the top ten contributors to the WFP in Afghanistan.
