15.9 million people face hunger in Afghanistan
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Voice of America
About 15.9 million Afghans are facing crisis-level or worse food insecurity, including 3.4 million in emergency conditions, while child malnutrition has reached a seasonal record. The UN attributes the deterioration to disease, population returns, climate disasters and funding shortages.
Some 15.9 million people are facing crisis-level or worse food insecurity in Afghanistan, including 3.4 million at emergency level, according to a UNICEF update published on Wednesday. These figures represent about one-third of Afghanistan’s population and correspond to phases 3 and 4 of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.
The humanitarian situation is being worsened by malnutrition, disease outbreaks, the return of millions of Afghans from neighbouring countries and recurring climate disasters. Children, women, returnees and populations affected by disasters are particularly vulnerable, while a lack of funding and pressure on essential services are increasing needs, UNICEF said.
Afghanistan is expected to remain one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises in 2026, with nearly 22% of its population needing humanitarian assistance, according to the UN. UNICEF projects that more than four million children could require treatment for acute malnutrition in 2027, including about 1.1 million for severe acute malnutrition and three million for moderate acute malnutrition. The number of provinces facing critical levels of malnutrition rose from seven in 2025 to 10 in 2026 and could reach 14.
