GENEVA - The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) on Tuesday called for the international community to donate $200 million in food aid for Afghanistan so essential supplies can be delivered to remote regions before winter.
"WFP is warning that a humanitarian catastrophe awaits the people of Afghanistan this winter unless the international community makes their lives a priority," Anthea Webb, WFP deputy regional director for Asia and Pacific, told a U.N. briefing.
"Once the snow sets in it is simply too late."
Webb said the WFP needs to get supplies through mountain passages before they are blocked by snow.
"Any further delay could be deadly," she said.
Webb added that countries nervous about a possible exodus of people from Afghanistan after the Taliban took control should back relief missions supporting those who stay in the country.