Afghanistan Faces Deepening Humanitarian Crisis Amid Drought and Return of Refugees

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has warned that Afghanistan is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis due to the simultaneous return of large numbers of refugees from Iran and Pakistan, ongoing drought, and recent earthquakes in the northern and eastern parts of the country. According to the organization, many vulnerable families are unable to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare.

The NRC reports that more than 17 million people—nearly 36% of Afghanistan’s population—are currently experiencing acute food insecurity. The main drivers of growing poverty in the country are declining rainfall, loss of agricultural land, and a lack of job opportunities.

The organization has cautioned that with the approach of winter and severe cold expected in many provinces, the humanitarian crisis is on the brink of entering a new and more dire phase. The NRC has called on the international community to urgently increase humanitarian aid to prevent further suffering among the Afghan people.

Experts state that the Taliban administration’s neglect of the most vulnerable segments of society, and its failure to implement effective programs for returning refugees, are major contributors to the current crisis. Many international aid agencies also face administrative and security restrictions imposed by the Taliban, complicating efforts to deliver assistance to areas most in need.