EU warns Climate Change threatens Afghanistan’s Agriculture and Food security

The EU delegation calls for urgent action to tackle climate challenges in Afghanistan, emphasizing the threat to agriculture and security.

The European Union delegation in Afghanistan issued a statement on the occasion of “Earth Day,” warning that climate change poses a severe threat to agriculture, food security, and rural economies in Afghanistan. The statement, released on Tuesday, April 22, highlights the vital importance of land as a crucial resource for life and livelihoods, urging immediate actions to address climate challenges in the country.

The EU delegation emphasized that “Earth Day serves as a reminder of how vital the land is for life and livelihood. In Afghanistan, climate change is threatening agriculture, food security, and rural economies.” The statement further noted the EU’s continued support for the people of Afghanistan through innovative and climate-resilient programs aimed at tackling these environmental challenges.

According to reports from the United Nations and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Afghanistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, ranking sixth among countries most affected by climate-related threats. The country has been experiencing repeated droughts, rising temperatures, reduced rainfall, and extreme weather events such as floods and landslides, all of which have severely impacted agriculture and rural livelihoods.

As per the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 75% of Afghanistan’s rural population faces challenges such as declining soil fertility, melting snow and glaciers, and an increase in natural disasters. These factors significantly threaten food security and undermine the livelihoods of the country’s population, many of whom rely on agriculture for their survival.

The urgent need for climate action in Afghanistan is clear, as climate change continues to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities in agriculture and rural economies. The international community, including the European Union, must continue to support Afghanistan with programs that enhance climate resilience and safeguard the livelihoods of its people. Without such support, the consequences for food security and rural development could be devastating.

The challenges posed by climate change in Afghanistan highlight the broader issue of global environmental degradation. As climate change affects more regions worldwide, it is crucial for all nations to strengthen their efforts to mitigate its impact and ensure a sustainable future for vulnerable populations, particularly in agriculture-dependent countries like Afghanistan.

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