3.5 Million People in Afghanistan Face Deadly Cold Wave Risks This Winter, New Report Warns

3.5 Million People in Afghanistan Face Deadly Cold Wave Risks This Winter, New Report Warns
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A recent report by REACH, a humanitarian data initiative, warns that nearly 3.5 million people across 289 communities in Afghanistan are at the highest risk from deadly cold waves this winter, Khaama Press reported. The assessment, released in July 2025, highlights severe threats to both human lives and livestock, particularly in the country’s mountainous regions.

The report emphasizes the vulnerability of agro-pastoral communities in remote provinces such as Ghor, Badakhshan, and Bamiyan, where fragile infrastructure and inadequate shelter leave residents and their animals exposed to harsh winter conditions. Livestock, a crucial source of food and income, faces significant losses during cold spells. For instance, in January 2023, Ghor province alone lost over 70,000 animals amid temperatures plunging to minus 33 degrees Celsius.

REACH’s analysis maps risk by considering hazard, exposure, and vulnerability, identifying over 1,300 additional communities facing significant danger beyond those at highest risk. Communities with weak livestock shelters, limited winter preparedness, and poor market access are particularly vulnerable.

The Central Highlands, western, and northern regions of Afghanistan are the most critical areas, where livestock deaths could trigger wider food insecurity, malnutrition, and economic difficulties. The report also draws attention to human risks in densely populated areas with poor shelter, such as Ghor, Ghazni, and Badakhshan, calling for detailed assessments to better understand cold wave impacts on these populations.

The findings aim to guide winter preparedness efforts, including the World Food Programme’s 2025 strategy. The report urges long-term investments in road infrastructure, livestock shelter improvements, and localized services to build resilience against future cold waves, stressing that early action is essential to mitigate Afghanistan’s fragile humanitarian challenges amid climate change.