Years of conflict in Afghanistan, combined with worsening food insecurity, recurrent natural disasters, climate change impacts, and large-scale returns of displaced people, have left an estimated 45 percent of the population—around 21.9 million people—in need of humanitarian assistance in 2026. Of these, 17.5 million, mostly women and children, have been prioritised for support under the coordinated humanitarian response.
Food security and sanitation remain among the most urgent needs. The Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan projects that during the 2025–2026 lean season, over one-third of the population will face crisis-level or worse food insecurity, forcing many households to meet minimum food needs by depleting essential livelihood assets. The ongoing drought has caused the failure of nearly 80 percent of rainfed wheat crops in several regions, leaving families without food stocks for the winter. Sanitation conditions are similarly critical, with an estimated 25 percent of households relying on unimproved water sources and 37 percent lacking soap for basic hygiene. Humanitarian efforts will prioritize water, sanitation, and hygiene needs in areas most affected by drought, cholera outbreaks, disasters, and large-scale returns.
Afghanistan is also experiencing one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing returnee-related displacement crises, with around five million people returning this year. More than 2.6 million Afghans returned from Iran and Pakistan due to tightened migration policies and deteriorating protection conditions. Many returnees are settling in districts already struggling with poverty, food insecurity, drought, and limited access to essential services, placing additional pressure on local capacities.
In 2026, humanitarian partners aim to reach more people despite having fewer resources. The $1.71 billion required represents a 29 percent reduction compared to 2025 but seeks to assist roughly four percent more people than the previous year. These adjustments have been driven by sharper prioritization, improved efficiency, and a strategic shift away from high-cost, less sustainable interventions, ensuring aid reaches those most in need.
