STORY: Afghans struggle with hunger amid economic slump
SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 15, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 16, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:59
LOCATION: Kabul
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of west Kabul
2. various of Sameer selling food on the street
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): SAMEER, Vendor
4. various of Kabul
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Pashto): MAWLAWI MUDASSIR HAMRAZ, Spokesperson for Afghan Red Crescent Society
6. various of Ali's bakery in Kabul
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Dari): HASSAN ALI, Bakery owner
8. various of Kabul

STORYLINE:

Wednesday marks World Food Day.

In Afghanistan, millions of people are facing the grim reality of hunger. 

Decades of war, displacement, prolonged droughts, high unemployment, and an economic collapse following U.S. sanctions on Afghan assets, have all contributed to the country's severe food shortages.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): SAMEER, Vendor
"We eat potatoes, rice, and okra for every meal. We used to cook meat, but now we can't afford it. Job opportunities have decreased. In the past, I earned around 4,000 to 5,000 afghanis (about 59 to 73 U.S. dollars) a day, but now, with fewer jobs, we make much less."

According to the United Nations World Food Programme, in Afghanistan, one in four people is facing starvation.

Mawlawi Mudassir Hamraz, spokesperson for the Afghan Red Crescent Society, emphasized the critical need for international support.
   
The agency data from September indicates that over 12 million people in Afghanistan are unsure where their next meal will come from.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Pashto): MAWLAWI MUDASSIR HAMRAZ, Spokesperson for Afghan Red Crescent Society
"Afghanistan is far from self-sufficient, with 70 percent of the population requiring humanitarian assistance. After 30 or 40 years of war, people have been displaced and their homes destroyed. Afghans need more assistance as they continue to live in poverty and hardship."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Dari): HASSAN ALI, Bakery owner
"We used to use 400 to 450 kilograms of flour to bake bread each day, but now it's down to 250 or 300 kilograms. People are impoverished. Many can't even afford a loaf of bread, which costs just 10 afghanis (about 0.15 U.S. dollars)."

According to a World Bank document, Afghanistan's real gross domestic product (GDP) contracted 26 percent over the last two fiscal years. Meanwhile, inflation is expected to stay at between 6 percent and 10 percent in 2024 and 2025, driving further poverty. High unemployment is also likely to persist due to limited job and business opportunities.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kabul.
(XHTV)