UN Warns of Dire Food Crisis in Afghanistan, Affecting 40% of Population

Kabul, October 19 (Daily Kiran) : The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have issued a stark warning about the food crisis in Afghanistan. This winter, approximately 40% of the population will experience high levels of severe food insecurity. The situation is expected to worsen in 2027, with a significant rise in malnutrition cases.

According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, about 19.2 million people, or 38% of the population, will face severe food insecurity from November to April. This marks an increase from the estimated 17.4 million during the same period last year.

Among these, around 5 million individuals are projected to experience emergency levels of hunger (IPC Phase 4), a figure that has doubled compared to estimates for April to September 2026. The most affected regions are expected to include Badakhshan, Badghis, Daikundi, Ghor, Samangan, Sar-e-Pol, and rural Ghazni.

The agencies anticipate that malnutrition cases will rise by nearly 10% in 2026, reaching 4 million, with a quarter of these being severe and life-threatening. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, as prevention and treatment services lag behind.

The crisis stems from multiple factors, including the forced return of over 1.2 million Afghans from Iran and Pakistan this year, border closures, and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which have driven up prices for essential goods. Additionally, there is a severe shortfall in humanitarian aid funding.

While good rainfall has boosted crop production in 2026, persistent unemployment means that many families, who do not grow their own food, are still unable to afford nutritious meals.

Richard Trenchard, FAO representative in Afghanistan, noted, “This year’s good harvest demonstrates what Afghan farmers can achieve. However, for parents without a stable income, nutritious food remains out of reach. The cycle of crisis and shocks continues, but we know that progress is possible.”

John Ayliffe, WFP Country Director in Afghanistan, highlighted that the crisis is now defined by the widening gap between needs and funding. He stated, “Hunger and malnutrition are tightening their grip on Afghan families, pushing more people to a point where resources for assistance are dwindling. We still have time to act, but that time is running out.”

Ayliffe emphasized that with immediate assistance, families can weather the winter with dignity. Without timely support, many will face impossible decisions that no parent should have to make.