OCHA warns of food crisis in Afghanistan, calls for urgent aid

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has issued a stark warning regarding the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

According to a recent statement, 14.8 million people in the country are currently facing food insecurity, with 3.1 million of them experiencing emergency-level conditions.
 
With the arrival of Ramadan, the situation has become even more dire, with millions of Afghans now uncertain about where their next meal will come from. OCHA has underscored the urgent need for $1.09 billion to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to the Afghan population. However, the international response has been severely lacking, with only $9.9 million secured to date, a mere fraction of the required amount.
 
The humanitarian crisis has been further compounded by the political and economic instability that followed the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. In November 2024, OCHA reported that 23.7 million people, including 9.2 million children, remain in need of humanitarian assistance. Despite OCHA’s appeal for $3.1 billion in humanitarian funding for 2024, only $1.15 billion were received, a significant shortfall that severely hampered relief efforts.
 
Compounding the challenges, the United States, one of the largest contributors of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, has suspended all foreign aid since the new U.S. President took office in January 2025. This decision has had a devastating impact on humanitarian operations, as U.S. funding has historically been critical in supporting food, healthcare and education programs.

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump linked the resumption of aid to Afghanistan to the return of military equipment left in the country following the withdrawal of U.S. forces. The Taliban, however, has refused to comply with this demand, creating a stalemate that further delays the delivery of much needed assistance.
 
The suspension of U.S. aid, coupled with the lack of contributions from other donors, has left humanitarian organizations struggling to address the overwhelming needs of the Afghan people. The situation remains dire, with millions at risk of starvation and without access to basic necessities, underscoring the urgent need for increased international support and funding.

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