Millions of Afghans Need Humanitarian Aid as Winter Approaches

The World Food Programme (WFP) is warning that millions of Afghans need urgent humanitarian aid, especially food, as winter approaches.

“WFP provided food assistance to over 18 million people this year,” said Philip Croopf, WFP’s Head of Communications in Afghanistan. “But the situation is still dire. An estimated 16 million people in Afghanistan do not know where their next meal is coming from. And now, severe winter is setting in across the country  WFP says that India’s aid has helped millions of people in Afghanistan over the past two years.

“India has been a major donor to WFP’s operations in Afghanistan,” Croopf said. “Their support has been critical in helping us reach millions of people in need.”

But WFP says that more aid is needed to help Afghanistan cope with the winter crisis.

“We are calling on donors to step up their support so that we can continue to provide food assistance to the most vulnerable people in Afghanistan,” Croopf said.

Afghanistan is facing a number of challenges, including a severe economic crisis, a drought, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges have pushed millions of people into poverty and hunger.

WFP says that it needs $2.6 billion in funding to provide food assistance to 22 million people in Afghanistan in 2024.