Afghanistan is facing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Across the country, families are experiencing the harsh consequences of deepening poverty, displacement and declining international support. 

The people of Afghanistan are facing record levels of hunger, with every province in the country in crisis or worse levels of food insecurity, including 4.7 million at emergency levels of hunger. According to the World Food Programme, almost 5 million mothers and children are projected to experience malnutrition this year. More than half of the population now relies on aid to survive, while repeated drought, climate shocks, and reduced funding - including a 23% decline last year - are placing even greater pressure on already vulnerable communities.

On top of this, 500,000 Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan in 2026 alone, many arriving with no belongings and no support system. These returns add to millions who have come back in recent years, placing immense strain on already fragile communities and leaving returnees with very limited access to food, shelter or other basic necessities.

At the same time, cross-border violence between Pakistan and Afghanistan has meant the border between the two countries has been closed for the last 8 months, dramatically increasing the costs of basic food and medicine. 

Rising global fuel and food prices are making an already desperate situation even worse. The cost of essentials has surged beyond what many families can afford, with three in four people now unable to meet even their basic needs. The rising prices are also increasing the cost of delivering humanitarian aid to those who need it most.

A crisis within a crisis

The people of Afghanistan are facing a convergence of emergencies:

• Families returning with no homes, no livelihoods and no safety net
• Vulnerable communities already living in poverty, now stretched beyond their limits
• Rising prices of food and fuel, placing essential items out of reach and deepening hunger
• The 2025 drought - one of the worst in a decade - left many without a source of food or income

Afghanaid continues to stand alongside Afghan communities, delivering life-saving support while investing in long-term resilience. 

As the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan continues to deepen, we cannot allow the country to fade from the world’s attention. Millions of Afghans are facing extreme hardship every day, with families struggling to access food, healthcare, and basic opportunities to rebuild their lives. Sustained humanitarian support is urgently needed, not only to meet immediate needs, but also to invest in the long-term resilience of communities. Without continued international commitment, the suffering will only intensify, placing an entire generation at risk and threatening the future of millions across the country.

 - Charles Davy, Afghanaid Managing Director

Emergency appeal: how you can help people in Afghanistan

At this critical moment, your support can make all the difference.

With your help, our local teams can:

• Provide emergency food, water and shelter to families in times of crisis
• Provide training, tools and resources for families to grow more food, increase their income and improve their nutrition
• Support families to adapt to a changing climate and build resilience against drought and flooding