WFP: 17.4 Million People in Afghanistan Will Face Acute Food Insecurity
Tawazon – The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that 17.4 million people in Afghanistan are expected to face acute food insecurity in 2026, as the country continues to experience one of the world’s worst hunger crises.
In a statement released on Friday June 5, the agency said that Afghanistan is witnessing the most severe rise in malnutrition ever recorded. According to WFP estimates, 4.9 million mothers and children will suffer from malnutrition in 2026.
WFP said Afghans continue to struggle with the consequences of four decades of war, economic crisis,widespread poverty, natural disasters, and recurring droughts.
The report noted that a 6.0 magnitude earthquake in eastern Afghanistan in August 2025 further worsened the humanitarian situation, leaving hundreds dead and affecting thousands of others.
The WFP added that women and girls are among the hardest hit by the hunger crisis, adding that existing restrictions have pushed them further to the margins of society.
The agency said it prioritizes assistance to female-headed households. The organization also warned that major funding cuts have created serious challenges for it humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, limiting its ability to reach vulnerable people.
Afghanistan remains one of the countries most dependent on humanitarian assistance and aid agencies continue to warn of a worsening food and humanitarian crisis across the country.