Aggregate output of recently harvested wheat and barley is unofficially estimated at 1.9 million tons, similar to last year's below-normal harvest. Output continued to be constrained by short supplies of agricultural inputs and insecurity. Some damage to foodcrops has also been caused by widespread flooding which affected the provinces of Badakshan, Fariab, Zabul, Helmnd, Nimroz, Farah and Herat.
Due to constant devaluation in currency and declining purchasing power, food prices in the country, particularly in Kabul, are increasing. This has caused severe suffering to most ordinary people.
Donors' response to the United Nations Inter-Agency Appeal for U.S.$ 124 million for Emergency Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Assistance, launched in October 1995, has been disappointing so far. The Appeal is targeted at four major crisis areas: emergencies in urban and rural areas, the internally displaced and refugees returning from neighbouring countries and covers the period October 1995 to September 1996.
The import requirement for cereals in 1996/97, mostly wheat, is estimated at 1.5 million tons. Cereal food aid deliveries for 1995/96 amount to 206 000 tons.