| HotSpots H2O: In Afghanistan, Political Upheaval Aggravates Drought-Fueled Famine
Well before Afghanistan’s political upheaval this summer, drought was pushing the country to the brink of a food crisis. Now, a whirlwind of risk factors have accelerated the decline into an all-out famine. Drought alone would have provoked a catastrophe, international authorities say. Afghanistan has not seen normal levels of rain since October 2020, with officials estimating this summer that over 80 percent of the country was experiencing serious drought. The political upheaval that followed—sparked by the U.S. government’s decision to end a 20-year military occupation, and the Taliban’s subsequent rise to power—kneecapped response efforts. As international aid evaporated, the social safety nets, which for so long provided basic services in the country, such as food, shelter, and health care, all but collapsed. The devastation is mounting. Last month, the World Food Program and the U.N. Children’s Fund warned that absent immediate treatment, one million children risked dying from malnutrition. In total, almost two-thirds of the country’s population faces acute hunger. | 