ISLAMABAD: The United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) has said Pakistan provides a ‘vital corridor’ for humanitarian assistance from the world to neighboring Afghanistan as the country veers toward starvation following a near collapse of its economy.

Critical food shortages have to be addressed for 22.8 million people in Afghanistan-- 8.7 million of them facing starvation according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification assessment.

“In addition to providing a vital source of food commodities, Pakistan provides a vital corridor for humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people from the rest of the world,” a UNWFP statement said on Tuesday. 

“WFP is rapidly expanding its operations to provide emergency food assistance to the most vulnerable Afghan people... with the support of the Government of Pakistan,” the UN agency said.

“Without immediate humanitarian action, the situation will quickly become a matter of life or death.”

WFP has begun dispatches of wheat flour from Pakistan to Afghanistan. The wheat has been milled and fortified in Pakistan to improve its nutritional value for consumers.

“Approximately 200 trucks carrying 10,000 MT [metric ton] of wheat flour will leave from Pakistan to Afghanistan in the coming days,” WFP said.

“WFP’s food assistance to the Afghan people now is a critical life-saver. It will reduce the likelihood of people having to migrate to survive,” said Chris Kaye, UNWFP Pakistan’s Representative and Country Director.

WFP and other humanitarian organizations rely on the efficient clearance and movement of shipments through Karachi port and onwards through the Chaman and Torkham border crossing.

The Pakistan government is also facilitating UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) operations between Islamabad-Kabul. The air-bridge serves as a vital component in supporting assistance efforts into and across Afghanistan by the humanitarian community.

“Pakistan’s support for WFP’s work in Afghanistan is vital. We are very appreciative of the assistance we have received so far,” Kaye said.

Last week, Prime Minister Imran Khan said in a tweet

that Pakistan would continue to provide all possible relief to Afghanistan but that the international community must also act.