Afghanistan hit hard by mounting food crisis

The global food crisis has continued to slam Afghanistan hard, with rising prices pushing more Afghans into poverty, the Toronto Star reported on May 9.

Despite a good grain harvest last year, the nation’s wheat prices have skyrocketed in 2008 by as much 300 percent. This, on the heels of a 60 percent jump in 2007.

With a poor harvest expected this year and fewer countries exporting grains, the situation may deteriorate further.

“I have eight children to feed,” said Gulam Farouk, a 45-year-old civil servant who earns 3,000 Afghanis (about $63) a month, when he’s paid. “How can I keep them from going hungry?”

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