UN Warns 19.2 Million Afghans Face Acute Food Insecurity

The World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization warn that nearly 19.2 million people in Afghanistan will face high levels of acute food insecurity during the November 2026 to April 2027 lean season. This marks an increase from the 17.4 million people affected during the previous year, with approximately five million people expected to reach emergency levels of hunger.

Acute malnutrition cases are projected to rise by nearly 10 percent, reaching four million in 2027. While rainfall in 2026 was favorable, the crisis is driven by funding shortfalls, high agricultural input costs, and the return of over 1.2 million Afghans from Iran and Pakistan. Additionally, trade disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have increased the prices of essential goods.

UN agencies are calling for urgent funding to expand food assistance and malnutrition treatment before winter restricts access to vulnerable communities. WFP Country Director John Aylieff warned that the window to act is closing rapidly, while FAO Representative Richard Trenchard advocated for investment in local agribusinesses and food processing to mitigate the crisis.