Afghanistan Among Countries Facing ‘Severely Alarming’ Hunger Levels: UN Agencies
The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) have warned in their latest hunger hotspots report that Afghanistan is experiencing a ‘severely alarming’ level of food insecurity.
The report places Afghanistan alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, and Syria as countries facing serious hunger crises. Drought in the northern and western regions of the country has led to reduced agricultural output and restricted access to animal fodder, while recent earthquakes in the east have left many families without access to food.
According to the UN agencies, a total of 16 countries are currently facing escalating food insecurity, with millions more at risk of impending famine or severe food crises. In addition to Afghanistan, Haiti, Mali, Palestine, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen are listed as facing ‘imminent risk of catastrophic hunger.’
In 14 of these countries, conflict, violence, economic crises, climate change, and a lack of sufficient funding are cited as the main drivers of the crisis. International organizations have warned that the window to prevent widespread hunger is rapidly closing.
A critical funding shortfall is one of the key contributors to the crisis. Of the $29 billion needed through the end of October 2025, only $10.5 billion has been secured, leading to significant cuts in aid. This funding gap has severely limited food distribution efforts for refugees and vulnerable populations.
The WFP has reported that due to funding shortages, essential programs such as school feeding initiatives have been suspended in some countries, putting children, displaced families, and refugees at increased risk.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban administration has shown a lack of responsiveness to the dire livelihood conditions of the population and has largely failed to manage the food crisis. Its repressive policies and lack of constructive engagement with the international community have worsened the situation. The administration’s silence and inaction continue to exacerbate the suffering of the Afghan people.
Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the WFP, warned that a hunger catastrophe is entirely preventable, but achieving this requires political will, immediate financial resources, and unhindered humanitarian access. She emphasized that any delays could lead to instability, displacement, and intensified conflict.
Finally, the FAO and WFP called on governments, donor countries, and partner organizations to take urgent action before the crisis turns into a disaster, urging them to heed global alerts on the state of food security.
