2006年VOA标准英语-Afghanistan, UN Launch New Appeal to Help Fight

By Benjamin Sand
Islamabad
25 July 2006

Afghan woman sits over sacks of flour after getting them from CARE International at the food distribution center in Kabul, March 19, 2006  
  
Afghanistan is seeking nearly $80 million to help fight "an imminent¹ food crisis" caused by widespread drought. The aid appeal, issued with the United Nations, says more than two and a half million people could be affected² by the drought and crop failures.

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The Afghan government and United Nations kicked off the $76 million appeal Tuesday morning in Kabul.

The U.N.'s deputy special representative to Afghanistan, Christopher Alexander, said that millions of farmers throughout Afghanistan are facing a large shortfall in their wheat harvest due to the drought.

"It's not just a question of lack of rain," he said. "It's a question of livelihoods³ being in jeopardy⁴. So this is a human crisis, these are real, acute, basic needs that need to be addressed."

Droughts are common in Afghanistan but Alexander says this year it is particularly harsh.

According to U.N. figures, wheat production has dropped nearly 15 percent in the past 12 months. The country faces a shortfall of 700,000 tons of wheat.

Hardest hit are Afghanistan's northern provinces, which have largely been spared the political unrest plaguing the south.

Relief agencies in the north say the drought is already forcing thousands of farmers to sell their livestock⁵ to help feed their families.

Eric Toft, director of the Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees, says the drought could force thousands of families to give up farming and move to Afghanistan's overcrowded cities in search of work.

If the U.N. appeal fails, he says, over the long-term the drought could have political and security consequences.

"The international community and the government need the support of the people in the north," noted⁶ Toft. "So far they have been mainly positive toward the government but if we are not able to help then in a situation like this that support might decrease."

And, he says, that without that support, political instability would likely rise.

Afghan officials also warn the drought could lead poor farmers to grow more opium⁷, which requires less water than wheat and other legal crops.

1 imminent   

adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的

参考例句：

• The black clounds show that a storm is imminent.乌云预示暴风雨即将来临。
• The country is in imminent danger.国难当头。

2 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

3 livelihoods   

生计，谋生之道( livelihood的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• First came the earliest individualistic pioneers who depended on hunting and fishing for their livelihoods. 走在最前面的是早期的个人主义先驱者，他们靠狩猎捕鱼为生。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件
• With little influence over policies, their traditional livelihoods are threatened. 因为马赛族人对政策的影响力太小，他们的传统生计受到了威胁。

4 jeopardy   

n.危险；危难

参考例句：

• His foolish behaviour may put his whole future in jeopardy.他愚蠢的行为可能毁了他一生的前程。
• It is precisely at this juncture that the boss finds himself in double jeopardy.恰恰在这个关键时刻，上司发现自己处于进退两难的境地。

5 livestock   

n.家畜，牲畜

参考例句：

• Both men and livestock are flourishing.人畜两旺。
• The heavy rains and flooding killed scores of livestock.暴雨和大水淹死了许多牲口。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 opium   

n.鸦片；adj.鸦片的

参考例句：

• That man gave her a dose of opium.那男人给了她一剂鸦片。
• Opium is classed under the head of narcotic.鸦片是归入麻醉剂一类的东西。