Zabihullah Jhanmal
Over 42% of Afghan population live in extreme poverty.
MORE THAN 42% of the Afghan population live in extreme poverty, according to figures released by the central statistics bureau.
The average Afghan family living below the poverty line earns about $10 a month per capita, the figures say.
Long-lasting drought, insecurity and the import of cheap foreign goods are the main causes of poverty, the statistics bureau said.
The head of the bureau, Abull Rahman Ghafori, said the number of families living below the poverty line would increase unless the government responded swiftly to what he called the current crisis.
The Ministry of Agriculture has asked the international community to fork out $404 million to prevent famine.
The agriculture minister, Ubidullah Ramin, said: "Unfortunately I have to say this year rain was far less than last year and most places in Afghanistan face drought. Most farmers face huge problems and we are asking the world to help us."
Most of the rain-fed harvests in the country will be poor due to lack of rainfall, the minister said. Only about 10-12% of land in Afghanistan is cultivatable.