UN OPTIMISTIC - As food convoy reaches Kabul

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Sunday October 14, 11:00 AM

U.N. optimistic as food convoy reaches Kabul

By Scott McDonald

PESHAWAR (Reuters) - The United Nations food agency (WFP) said on Saturday its latest convoy of aid safely reached the capital of war-ravaged Afghanistan, raising hopes regular shipments can be made.

The United Nations and aid groups have said they were worried about getting enough food into Afghanistan before the winter to help the millions at risk, and to stem a possible flood of refugees out of the country hit by more than two decades of war and several years of a killer drought.

"The last convoy arrived no problem and we are expecting the second one we sent this week to arrive in Kabul soon," said Mike Huggins, the World Food Programme's spokesman in Peshawar.

After suspending convoys because of the U.S.-led military strikes on the ruling Taliban, the WFP sent one 42-truck convoy carrying 1,000 tonnes across the border on Thursday and another that left on Friday.

"We are waiting for the second convoy to arrive. Once the trucks get there and back safely, then it is easier to send more trucks. The drivers feel more confident," Huggins said.

The WFP, like other U.N. agencies, pulled international staff out of Afghanistan after the September 11 suicide plane attacks on New York and Washington, which the United States has blamed on Osama bin Laden who has been sheltered by the ruling Taliban.

The long-anticipated military action by the United States has complicated security concerns for the WFP, which is shipping food into Afghanistan from neighbouring countries.

Other aid groups said that, while there was no evidence yet that large numbers of refugees are trying to flee Afghanistan because of the U.S. attacks, it was important to get food into the country quickly to stem any exodus caused by hunger.

"It is prudent to prepare for a refugee crisis, which might also be generated by hunger in Afghanistan, if suspended international aid deliveries cannot be resumed in sufficient quantities," said a statement from the Refugees International group.

The WFP has estimated up to 7.5 million people in Afghanistan will need food aid this winter, requiring it to deliver 52,000 tonnes of wheat a month. Despite the military strikes, some WFP distribution programmes are continuing, Huggins said.

In addition to more than two decades of war and civil strife, Afghanistan has been suffering from more than three years of a devastating drought.

-- Anonymous, October 14, 2001


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