The World Food Programme warns that Afghan women and children are bearing the heaviest burden as multiple crises converge in the country, including economic instability, climate shocks, conflict-related pressures, and sharply reduced humanitarian funding. These overlapping challenges are pushing millions of vulnerable families deeper into hunger and poverty.
According to the UN agency, Afghanistan is experiencing one of its most severe food and nutrition emergencies in recent years, with millions of people requiring urgent assistance. Women and children are disproportionately affected, as they often have the least access to food, healthcare, and essential services, while also facing higher risks of malnutrition and related health complications.
The situation is being worsened by significant cuts in international aid, which have forced humanitarian organizations to scale back essential programs. This includes reductions in food distributions, nutrition treatment services, and support for maternal and child health, leaving many communities without critical lifelines.
At the same time, returning populations, ongoing displacement, and environmental challenges such as droughts are adding further pressure on already fragile communities. These factors are increasing competition for scarce resources and making it harder for families to recover or maintain stable livelihoods.
Overall, the World Food Programme emphasizes that without immediate and sustained funding, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan will continue to deteriorate. Women and children will remain the most affected, facing worsening malnutrition, reduced access to care, and heightened survival risks in an already fragile environment.
