The World Bank has announced 150 million dollars critical livelihood and life-saving assistance for rural families in Afghanistan, to avert a looming catastrophe.

The Director General UN Food and Agriculture Organization Qu Dongyu in a statement said it is the first tranche of total 195 million dollars assistance for the war-torn country.

He said another 45 million dollars assistance will be released within the next two years.

Qu Dongyu said the project will support poor farmers, nutritional needs of children, people with disabilities or chronic illness, and households headed by women.