Afghanistan aid crisis deepens as millions go without support

Nearly half of Afghanistan’s population - more than 21 million people - needed humanitarian assistance in the first three months of 2026, according to the United Nations, yet aid agencies reached only 4.7 million people.

The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its response plan aimed to assist 17.5 million people, yet only 27% of those targeted received support.

The shortfall is largely linked to funding. OCHA said U.S.$1.7 billion was required, but only U.S.$195 million had been secured. Children made up 49% of those who received aid, while women accounted for 30% and men 21%.

Returns from neighbouring countries add pressure

The situation is being driven by poverty, food insecurity and climate shocks. However, one of the greatest pressures on resources remains the return of Afghans from Pakistan and Iran, prompting warnings from the UN and NGOs of a potential reintegration crisis.

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“The large-scale return of Afghan nationals from neighbouring countries, which escalated dramatically in end 2023, remains a defining humanitarian and development challenge for Afghanistan,” according to a United Nations and NGO response plan.

The plan estimates that 5.8 million Afghans have returned since September 2023, increasing the country’s population by between 10% and 12%. In 2025, 2.9 million people were recorded as returning, mostly from Pakistan and Iran.

The UN projects that another 2.69 million Afghans could return between April and December 2026, including around 1.59 million from Iran and 1.1 million from Pakistan. Many of those returning, particularly women and children, have weak links to their areas of origin, making reintegration more difficult.

Challenges for returnees

The report also warned that returnees face limited livelihood opportunities, a lack of shelter, rising prices, restricted access to services and weak social support networks.

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The UN and NGO response plan requires U.S.$529.2 million, including U.S.$100.7 million for border assistance and U.S.$428.5 million for reintegration support in areas receiving returnees.

Afghan authorities have not publicly responded to the latest OCHA figures. However, they have previously supported humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan and repeatedly called on international donors and NGOs to keep political issues separate from humanitarian affairs.

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