Reuters has reported that with the onset of winter and a decline in international assistance, the hunger crisis in Afghanistan has intensified, leaving millions of people facing severe food shortages.
In a report published early this morning (Tuesday, January 20), the news agency said that according to estimates by the World Food Programme (WFP), at least 17 million people in Afghanistan are struggling with acute hunger.
The report emphasized that the situation has deteriorated further following widespread cuts in foreign aid.
Reuters added that the mass deportation of Afghan citizens from Iran and Pakistan has also exacerbated the crisis, with more than 2.5 million people returning to the country over the past year—many of whom had previously played a vital role in supporting their families by sending remittances.
The World Food Programme has also previously warned that with the loss of job opportunities during winter and the suspension of aid, around three million more people are at risk of acute hunger.
The UN-affiliated agency stated that the highest level of malnutrition in Afghanistan was recorded last year, and it is projected that in 2026 approximately 200,000 additional children will suffer from acute malnutrition.
Despite this, humanitarian organizations say that the available aid is insufficient to meet families’ needs, and unless more funding is secured, the humanitarian situation in the country will worsen.
It should be noted that over the past four years, poverty and economic hardships in Afghanistan have increased more sharply than ever before due to reductions in support budgets and humanitarian assistance.
