The Latest: Food agency warns of hunger in Afghan conflict

By The Associated Press

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The head of the U.N. food agency in Afghanistan says a humanitarian crisis is unfolding with 14 million people facing severe hunger following the Taliban takeover of the country. Mary Ellen McGroarty, the World Food Program’s country director, said the conflict, severe drought and the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed an already dire situation into a catastrophe. McGroarty said crops have been lost and livestock devastated by the drought, hundreds of thousands of people were displaced as the Taliban advanced, and winter is fast approaching. McGroarty called for a halt to the conflict and urged donors to provide funding to get food into the country winter weather blocks roads.