UN Warns Afghanistan Will Remain a Major Crisis in 2026

Afghanistan Continues to Suffer

Afghanistan is expected to remain one of the world's largest humanitarian crises in 2026, warns UN agencies and humanitarian partners, issuing a call for $1.7 billion to assist nearly 18 million people in urgent need. Years of conflict, exacerbated by food insecurity and recurring natural disasters, have left approximately 45% of the population – 21.9 million people – requiring humanitarian assistance next year.

Among these, 17.5 million individuals – more than three-quarters of whom are women and children – have been prioritized for support in the coordinated response. The immediate needs remain food security and sanitation conditions. During the famine season of 2025-2026, more than a third of Afghanistan's population will face severe food insecurity, meaning many households will meet their minimum food needs only by depleting essential living resources.

The response will focus on water, sanitation, and hygiene needs in the most drought- and cholera-affected areas. This year, about five million people are returning to Afghanistan, mostly from Iran and Pakistan, and many of the districts to which they return are already affected by poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to basic services.

In 2026, humanitarian partners aim to reach more people with reduced resources, with the $1.71 billion appeal representing a 29% reduction from the needs in 2025. However, it is expected to reach approximately four million more individuals than the previous year.