UNICEF: Over 22 Million Afghans to Need Humanitarian Aid in 2026
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that humanitarian needs in Afghanistan are expected to rise sharply in 2026, with nearly 22 million people in urgent need of international assistance.
In its latest report titled “Humanitarian Action for Children 2026,” UNICEF said that overlapping crises in the country—including widespread poverty, lack of essential services, and the absence of an effective support system—have put the lives of millions of families at serious risk.
UNICEF stressed that the ongoing economic crisis, widespread restrictions on social and professional life, and the Taliban administration’s insufficient attention to public needs have led to the further deterioration of service and protection infrastructures. According to the report, women and children are among the most vulnerable groups under the current circumstances.
The agency called on the international community to ramp up financial and humanitarian support for the Afghan people to prevent rising poverty and malnutrition. UNICEF warned that without donor cooperation, millions of children will face hunger, disease, and lack of access to education.
Experts say the Taliban’s restrictive policies—especially those limiting girls’ education and women’s employment—have significantly contributed to the worsening humanitarian crisis. They caution that ignoring this situation could result in long-term, irreparable consequences for Afghanistan’s future.
