The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that 1.5 to 2 million more people in Afghanistan likely will be pushed into food insecurity later this year because of ongoing drought in the northern, northeastern and western parts of the country, IRIN reports. Seven million people in the country already are facing food shortages, according to the article.

WFP spokesperson Assadullah Azhari told IRIN in Kabul that the agency planned to feed more than seven million people this year but will be able to reach less than four million because of a funding shortfall. “He said additional funds would be required to cover the new drought-related needs,” according to the news service. “WFP said the USA had cut its funding of WFP activities in Afghanistan by more than two-thirds since 2009,” IRIN writes (8/9).