MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
McMullan
Australia will provide $5 million for food aid to Afghanistan through our international development assistance agency, AusAID, to help address severe food shortages affecting more than 2.5 million Afghans.
Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, said this support is in response to an urgent joint appeal by the World Food Programme and the Government of Afghanistan.
'Our contribution will be provided to areas of greatest need, including along the border area with Pakistan and in Oruzgan Province, where Australian troops are deployed.
'The WFP will purchase food and coordinate distribution to regional centres. The food will be sold at subsidised prices to help reduce the impact of recent dramatic price increases.'
Decades of conflict have reduced the capacity of Afghans to produce cereals and other basic foodstuffs, making them dependent on imports. The recent global rise in food prices has had a devastating effect on this vulnerable population. The price of wheat flour, the staple food of Afghans, has increased by approximately 58 per cent since January 2007.
'The WFP has been working closely with the Government of Afghanistan in conducting a protracted relief and recovery operation in Afghanistan since 2003. It is working to address longer term needs through rehabilitation of agricultural and irrigation infrastructure to increase domestic agricultural production,' said Mr McMullan.
The Australian Government, through AusAID, provides assistance to Afghanistan in partnership with the Afghan Government. Bilateral programs include building state capacity to deliver services, including in the agricultural sector and the provision of scholarships at Australian institutions.
AusAID will provide an estimated $66 million in development assistance to Afghanistan in 2007-08.
Media Contact: Sabina Curatolo (Mr McMullan's Office) 0400 318 205
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590