UN Warns 17.4 Million Afghans Could Face Severe Food Insecurity in 2026

The UN warns that 17.4 million Afghans, over one-third of the population, may face acute food insecurity in 2026 amid worsening crises.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that approximately 17.4 million people in Afghanistan, over a third of the population, could face acute food insecurity in 2026. Of these, around 4.7 million are expected to reach Phase 4 of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), indicating a crisis-level emergency.

OCHA highlighted that Afghanistan is likely to experience one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises next year. Years of conflict, economic fragility, low investment in essential services, and the rapid erosion of basic rights have left vast segments of the population highly vulnerable.

The report also notes that chronic pressures are worsening due to escalating food insecurity, mass returns of displaced populations, climate-induced droughts, frequent natural disasters, and systematic exclusion of women and girls from public life. These intersecting crises amplify the country’s humanitarian challenges.

International agencies emphasize that food shortages are compounded by political instability and limited government capacity to respond to emergencies. Humanitarian access in remote and conflict-affected areas remains a critical challenge, making timely interventions difficult.

According to OCHA, nearly 22 million people in Afghanistan may rely on humanitarian assistance in 2026, underscoring the urgent need for international support, funding, and coordinated relief efforts.

Afghanistan’s food insecurity has been escalating for years, fueled by ongoing conflicts, droughts, and high inflation rates. In recent months, local reports indicate that staple food prices have risen sharply, leaving many families unable to afford basic nutrition.

Previous United Nations assessments have warned that without sustained international intervention, malnutrition rates, especially among children under five, could spike dramatically, leading to long-term health and developmental challenges across the country.

Humanitarian experts stress that immediate, large-scale assistance is essential to prevent widespread famine and social collapse. Without urgent action, millions of Afghans could face a humanitarian catastrophe in 2026, requiring global coordination and political commitment.

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