UN seeks funds for displaced Afghans

The United Nations has sent a team of experts to the western Afghan city of Herat to assess the needs of thousands of people displaced by drought.

The UN coordinator for humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, Erick de Mul, said the mission would report its findings to an emergency meeting of donor countries to raise funds for the displaced families, who are also threatened by the harsh winter.

Mr de Mul said the displaced people had arrived in Herat from Ghor and Badghis provinces, a region badly hit by the drought.

He said that many people had died during the journey. He described the situation as a serious problem, and said it was important to act quickly to help those in need to survive the winter.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service