OXFAM is deeply shocked and saddened by the attacks and the huge loss of life in America on September 11. But, as the USA and its allies decide what action to take in response, Oxfam asks that the humanitarian consequences of any action must be carefully calculated and prepared for.

After 20 years of war and sanctions and three years of successively worsening drought, the situation in Afghanistan was already disastrous before the September 11 events.

More than a quarter of Afghani children die before reaching the age of five and adult life expectancy is only 44 years, in what is the poorest country in Asia.

The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is escalating dramatically. Oxfam's 140 local staff have reported villagers reduced to eating grass to survive. People are now being driven from their homes in enormous numbers in Afghanistan because of fear of military action.

With winter only five weeks away, the situation is beyond critical. Unless the UN World Food Program restarts by the middle of October, there will be death tolls in the thousands before mid-winter.

A declaration that the ordinary population of Afghanistan is not a target is needed so that food deliveries can restart to save at least five million people from certain famine this winter.

Thousands of people died in the United States -- we must make sure that even more innocent lives are not lost.

KATY McDERMOTT, Oxfam North West Campaigns Office, Fountain Street, Manchester.