Millions in Afghanistan face hunger as aid funding declines
Cuts in international aid and a freeze in U.S. foreign assistance have left millions of Afghans at risk of severe hunger this winter, according to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP).
Despite some progress since 2021, when 23 million people faced acute food insecurity, approximately 15 million Afghans—one-third of the population—still experience severe hunger.
The WFP warns that the situation remains critical, with current funding shortfalls limiting its ability to reach all those in need. WFP’s Afghanistan country director, Hsiao-Wei Lee, expressed concern over potential further aid reductions, emphasizing the immense needs of the population.
She urged decision-makers to prioritize the humanitarian crisis, as Afghanistan’s economic instability continues to worsen. The country’s economic collapse began in 2021 when the Taliban regained power, triggering a freeze on development and security aid and restrictions on the financial sector.
While humanitarian aid has partially alleviated the crisis, global funding has dwindled due to competing international priorities and concerns over Taliban policies, including bans on women working for NGOs and other restrictions on women’s rights.
The WFP is currently only able to provide food assistance to half of those requiring urgent help. Sustained international support, Lee stressed, is essential to prevent the humanitarian situation from deteriorating further.
As winter intensifies, the WFP and other aid agencies face increasing challenges in securing resources to support vulnerable communities. Without renewed funding commitments, millions in Afghanistan could face worsening hunger and insecurity in the months ahead.
This highlights the urgent need for a coordinated global effort to address Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis and ensure that lifesaving assistance reaches those who need it most.
