UN says nearly 16 million Afghans are facing severe hunger

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned of worsening hunger in Afghanistan, saying about 16 million people in the country are facing crisis-level food insecurity, including 3.4 million who are in emergency conditions.

According to Olga Cherevko, as winter approaches, the number of people going hungry is expected to rise to nearly 19 million, underscoring the need for an immediate humanitarian response.

She stressed that humanitarian aid alone is not enough and that Afghanistan needs sustained investment in agriculture, employment, health services and economic opportunities.

Cherevko also warned that restrictions imposed on women and girls are not only hurting the economic conditions of families, but also putting their food security at risk.