OXFAM'S North West Campaigns Office has been inundated with calls from local people wanting to know how they can help the people of Afghanistan.

The scale of the human tragedy now unfolding in Afghanistan is overwhelming. Right now 2.5m people face starvation.

Winter in Afghanistan is only one month away -- snow will fall and roads will become impassable until the spring. Thousands of people will face being trapped without food, warmth or hope. The crisis in Afghanistan is becoming one of the greatest humanitarian challenges the international community has ever faced.

Oxfam have been working in Afghanistan for over 12 years, where families have already endured three years of severe drought and 20 years of war.

Oxfam is now working in extremely difficult conditions to deliver food supplies in Afghanistan to those who need it most -- before the onset of winter in mid November. But if more life-saving aid does not arrive before the snow, many more people face starvation. For people living here in the North West, it is hard to imagine looking into an uncertain future facing the twin horrors of war and starvation, but that is what people in Afghanistan now face.

Please write to Tony Blair today. Ask him to take a lead and urge the international community to support the flow of food into Afghanistan before the snows arrive and overland routes become impassable. You really can make a difference.

Money is urgently needed to fund the emergency aid effort. Oxfam's appeal has already raised £150,000, Just £25 will feed two people for the whole winter.

If you would like to donate to Oxfam's Afghanistan appeal, please call 0845 303 0023, donate cash via your local Oxfam shop or online at www.oxfam.org.uk/afghanistan

Katy McDermott

Campaigns Officer

Oxfam Afghanistan

Crisis Appeal