A HUMANITARIAN aid project to support the people of Afghanistan in the wake of world events is being led by a former Woolston High School pupil.

David Horrocks is Christian Aid's Afghanistan Programme Manager and is responsible for all the charity's activities in the country which is now facing a crisis of stunning proportions'.

Before the terrorist attacks in America, the 34-year-old spent six weeks in the country supporting local organisations with both short term and long term solutions to an ecological crisis.

Crop harvests have been completely ruined by a drought which has been ravaging the region for almost four years and David has been working with local people providing them with seeds and compost as well as installing wells and irrigation systems.

When the USA was attacked, he had to be evacuated - but his work goes on.

He said: "Our activities are still going on and we will be helping our partners with logistics and procurement because it is very difficult to get material in for relief operations if the borders are closed.

"The people of Afghanistan have a very tough life. I've seen the landscape and its very mountainous and barren. Because of the cumulative effects of the drought, they have to work so much harder for water and food - but they do have a great endurance. There was already a crisis in Afghanistan before the events in America and this has just escalated it beyond all expectations.

"We are now facing a humanitarian crisis of stunning proportions. Around 1.5 million people are expected in Pakistan and there are already two million refugees in Afghanistan.

"The focus is now on the emergency situation and Christian Aid is providing funding for refugees in Pakistan and other countries - but we are also concentrating on the long term problems.

"We must remember there are still people in Afghanistan struggling in awful conditions."

Christian Aid has set up an appeal and donations can be made by calling 0845 330 0500 or logging on to the website www.christian-aid.org.uk.