Food diplomacy

Regarding “Afghans left behind face visa, logistical challenges as friends, family try to get them out,” (Sept. 29): Contrary to President Biden’s assurances that “we will get you out,” the United States has so far failed in its efforts to evacuate tens of thousands of Afghans that had worked with us for up to 20 years — including many that had applied for Special Immigrant Visas. The article describes in detail the fears for physical safety of a typical family left behind to the mercy of the Taliban.

But threat to physical safety is not the only serious issue enveloping the Afghan people. Ramiz Alakbarov, U.N. Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan, reports that over half of Afghan children under five, and over one-third of all citizens, are not getting enough to eat. Further, the situation will get precipitously worse over the next month. A number of nations are sending aid, but it’s not enough to meet the needs at hand.

Both President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared at the conclusion of the airlift that “diplomacy” would be employed to successfully extricate the remainder of our Afghan allies. But there has been absolutely no announcement of any success in that regard. The solution would appear to be obvious. The Taliban desperately needs food to forestall a revolt and stay in power, and the United States urgently needs to rescue our Afghan allies to keep its word. The State Department should immediately negotiate a deal: food for people. Our long-term credibility around the world, already severely damaged, may depend on it.

Ray Lawrence, Houston