Afghanistan

A humanitarian crisis of incredible proportions has grown even more complex and severe since the Taliban took control. Job losses, lack of cash and soaring prices are creating a new class of hungry people. A total 15.8 million Afghans are not consuming enough food. The country is on the brink of economic collapse, with the local currency at an all-time low and food prices on the rise. 

Acute malnutrition is above emergency thresholds in 25 out of 34 provinces, and is expected to worsen, with almost half of children under 5 and a quarter of pregnant and breastfeeding women needing life-saving nutrition support in the next 12 months. As winter approaches, getting food into the country and prepositioning it at strategic locations is now the most urgent task for WFP. Once the snow sets in, roads will be cut off and communities stranded. This lean season, WFP food assistance will be the only lifeline for many Afghan families.

Afghanistan's challenges were compounded by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake which struck Herat province on Saturday 7 October, flattening entire villages and killing over 2,400 people. Within 24 hours of the earthquake, WFP had distributed 1.5 metric tons of fortified biscuits to more than 700 families whose houses were destroyed. 

The international community needs to step up to avert a humanitarian catastrophe across Afghanistan. WFP urgently needs US$670 million between January to June 2024, to reach 15.2 million people with lifesaving support