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Afghanistan food insecurity and malnutrition crisis

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-20 20:27 UTC → 2026-10-21 07:46 UTC · added removed

Afghanistan is experiencing record levels of hunger and acute malnutrition. Projections for the upcoming winter lean season (November to April) indicate that approximately 19.2 million people, or nearly 40 percent of the population, will face high levels of acute food insecurity. This is an increase from the 17.4 million people projected to face similar conditions during the same period last year. United Nations agencies, including the FAO and WFP, warn that five million people will reach emergency levels of hunger, doubling the figure projected for the April-September 2026 period. The crisis is expected to disproportionately affect mothers and children. Malnutrition cases are projected to rise by nearly 10 percent to four million, with one-quarter of those cases considered severe and potentially fatal. The most critical situations are anticipated in provinces including Badakhshan, Badghis, Daykundi, Ghor, Samangan, Sar-e-Pul, and rural Ghazni. Longer-term projections from UNICEF and Action Against Hunger suggest that more than 4 million children will require treatment for acute malnutrition by 2027, the highest number in five years. 2027. Severe acute malnutrition cases are expected to rise by 16 percent, potentially affecting 1.09 million children, while 3 million are projected to experience moderate acute malnutrition. Additionally, 1.3 million pregnant or breastfeeding women are expected to suffer from malnutrition. The number of provinces facing critical malnutrition levels is projected to increase from 10 in 2026 to 14 in 2027. Drivers of the crisis include high food and transport costs, job scarcity, a decline in humanitarian assistance, and limited access to clean water. Despite improved agricultural harvests and favorable rains, experts note that while food may be available in markets, many families lack the purchasing power to acquire it. Recent pressures also include the forced return of over 1.2 million Afghans from Iran and Pakistan, border closures, and disrupted trade routes.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-21 07:46 UTC Afghanistan food insecurity and malnutrition crisis
  2. 2026-10-20 20:27 UTC Afghanistan food insecurity and malnutrition crisis
  3. 2026-10-19 21:40 UTC Afghanistan food insecurity and malnutrition crisis

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