The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced that in the coming year, more than 17 million people in Afghanistan will face severe food insecurity.
Of these, 5.2 million are in emergency conditions—a figure that has doubled compared to last year.
OCHA added that drought continues, with 12 provinces severely affected and over three million people impacted by the situation.
The organization also highlighted the mass return of migrants, stating that in 2025 alone, more than two million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan.
This has placed immense pressure on host communities, basic services, and livelihoods. OCHA emphasized that in response to this crisis, humanitarian agencies will prioritize assistance for over 17 million people, about 80% of those in need—in 2026.
OCHA stated that implementing this plan will require a budget of $1.72 billion and warned that without this aid, Afghanistan’s food and humanitarian crisis will worsen.
