UN OCHA: Afghanistan Faces Worst Food Crisis in 2 Decades

DID Press: The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has reached a critical point, with the United Nations warning that nearly 22 million people will require urgent life-saving assistance in 2026.

According to the latest report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Afghanistan will face one of the world’s largest humanitarian needs next year, with 21.9 million people dependent on aid. Of these, 17.4 million are experiencing severe food insecurity, and over 5 million are classified as being in “emergency” conditions.

OCHA highlighted that prolonged droughts, floods, earthquakes, contagious diseases, and the large-scale return of migrants from neighboring countries are placing additional pressure on vulnerable households. Restrictions on women and girls—limiting access to work and education—have further exacerbated the crisis, increasing social risks such as gender-based violence, early marriage, and child labor. Unexploded ordnance remaining from past conflicts continues to threaten the lives of thousands of children and adults.

The agency also warned that below-average rainfall and rising temperatures in the coming year could worsen food shortages and livelihoods. Meanwhile, the ongoing forced return of migrants from neighboring countries will further increase humanitarian needs.

OCHA has requested $1.72 billion to provide essential aid to 17.5 million of Afghanistan’s most vulnerable people in 2026. The World Food Programme has similarly warned that two-thirds of Afghan households are unable to secure enough food, describing the country’s food security situation as “extremely critical.”