The document summarizes a study on the impact of the 2011 drought among communities in 6 northern provinces of Afghanistan. The study was conducted between July-November 2011 through questionnaires to 273 households, 131 villages, and 18 districts across the provinces. It found that wheat production was severely impacted, with yields 87-99% lower than the previous year. As a result, the food gap in these provinces increased substantially, from 5.1-11.7 million kilograms, and communities remained highly vulnerable. It recommends providing wheat seeds, introducing drought tolerant varieties, and continuing food assistance until the next harvest to address ongoing food insecurity.

1. Impact of 2011 drought among communities
in Afghanistan
Laila Naz TAJ, BSc, MA, MSc (London School of Economics)
Focus Humanitarian Assistance Europe Foundation, London, UK
Professor Salim SUMAR, BSc, PhD
Focus Humanitarian Assistance Europe Foundation, London, UK
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2. Focus Humanitarian Assistance
Laila Naz TAJ & Professor SUMAR - Davos, IDRC, 26-30 August, 2012 1/10

3. Afghanistan:
Turkmenistan
oPopulation: 37 million
oTotal Area: 652,000 km 2 6 Provinces
oProvinces: 34
6 Northern Provinces:
Iran
oTotal Area : 114,833 km 2
oTotal Population : 3,902,026
Pakistan
Laila Naz TAJ & Professor SUMAR - Davos, IDRC, 26-30 August, 2012 2/10

4. Methodology
o Study conducted between July-November 2011
o Sample: 6 provinces, 131 villages, 18 districts and 273 households
o The assessment included quantitative and qualitative methodologies used (in Dari)
o Three sets of questionnaires were developed:
o Head of households
o Community Focus groups
o Traders
Laila Naz TAJ & Professor SUMAR - Davos, IDRC, 26-30 August, 2012 3/10

5. Communities surveyed across Provinces
Laila Naz Taj & Professor SUMAR - Davos, IDRC, 26-30 August, 2012 4/10

6. 99% 97%
92% 96%
87%
98%
Kg
Laila Naz Taj & Professor SUMAR - Davos, IDRC, 26-30 August, 2012 5/10

7. 11.7m
11.2m
11.1m 11.2m 10.6m
10.8m
7.6m
5.4m 4.5m
5.5m 5.1m
3.7m
Laila Naz Taj & Professor Sumar – IDRC 2012, Davos 26-30th August, 2012 6/10

8. Laila Naz Taj & Professor SUMAR - Davos, IDRC, 26-30 August, 2012 7/10

9. Laila Naz Taj & Professor Sumar – IDRC 2012, Davos 26-30th August, 2012
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10. Some Conclusions & Recommendations
o Communities remain highly vulnerable and impacted by the 2011 drought
o The need to provide wheat seeds for the next planting season
o Increasing yield per hectare by introducing drought tolerant seeds in these areas
o Given the food gap, food assistance will be required in these six provinces until the next harvest
o Community owned stockpiles
o Microfinance or other innovative credit programs
o Improving the communication and trade link
Laila Naz Taj & Professor Sumar – IDRC 2012, Davos 26-30th August, 2012 9/10

11. The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance of the following in this study:
oMr. Hesamuddin Hashuri ( Focus Humanitarian Assistance Afghanistan)
oMr. Noor Kashani ( Focus Humanitarian Assistance Afghanistan)
oAll the staff at FOCUS Afghanistan
Laila Naz Taj & Professor Sumar – IDRC 2012, Davos 26-30th August, 2012 10/10

12. Impact of 2011 Drought among
communities in Afghanistan
Laila Naz TAJ, BSc, MA, MSc (London School of Economics)
Focus Humanitarian Assistance Europe Foundation, London, UK
Professor Salim SUMAR, BSc, PhD
Focus Humanitarian Assistance Europe Foundation, London, UK