Over 17 Million Afghans Face Food Insecurity, UN Warns
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned in a new report that more than 17 million people in Afghanistan will face severe food insecurity in the coming year. According to OCHA, 5.2 million of them are in an emergency situation—double the number recorded the previous year.
The agency stated that ongoing droughts have inflicted extensive damage on residents of at least 12 provinces in Afghanistan, with over three million people directly affected by the chronic crisis so far. OCHA also highlighted the mass return of Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan, noting that in 2025 alone, more than two million people have returned to Afghanistan, placing significant pressure on host communities and essential service resources.
Based on OCHA’s findings, humanitarian agencies plan to prioritize assistance to 17 million people—or approximately 80% of those in need—in 2026. The agency has estimated the minimum required budget for this intervention at $1.72 billion.
Despite international efforts, the restrictions and policies of the Taliban administration—particularly in areas such as the economy, individual freedoms, and access to livelihoods—continue to undermine the resilience of the Afghan population and hinder the humanitarian response.
