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UN Warns Afghanistan Hunger Crisis Worsens for Women and Children

The United Nations warns that hunger and food security are deteriorating in Afghanistan, with women and children facing the most severe consequences. Overlapping crises including economic collapse, unemployment, and climate shocks have impacted livelihoods across the country. Continuous funding cuts have reduced supplies of specialized nutritional food needed for malnourished women and children. Recent floods in Nangarhar province have affected around 2,000 families, worsening humanitarian challenges.

Key Points: Afghanistan Hunger Crisis Worsens: UN Warns of Severe Food Insecurity

  • Hunger and food security deteriorating in Afghanistan
  • Women and children face most severe consequences
  • Funding cuts reduce nutritional food supplies
  • Floods in Nangarhar affect 2,000 families
2 min read

UN warns of deteriorating hunger and food security in Afghanistan

UN warns of deteriorating hunger and food security in Afghanistan, with women and children most affected amid economic collapse, unemployment, and climate shocks.

"Continuous funding cuts have reduced supplies of specialised nutritional food needed for the treatment of malnourished women and children - United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP)"

Kabul, May 12

The United Nations has stated that hunger and food security are deteriorating in Afghanistan, with women and children facing the most consequences amid economic and humanitarian challenges, local media reported on Tuesday.

The UN agencies said that Afghanistan continue to face problems due to overlapping crises, including economic collapse, unemployment and climate-related shocks that have impacted livelihoods across the country. Increasing regional tensions have caused an increase in food prices, placing additional pressure on vulnerable people, Afghanistan-based Ariana News reported.

The United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) stated that continuous funding cuts have reduced supplies of specialised nutritional food needed for the treatment of malnourished women and children. Millions of children face the risk of severe hunger, resulting in humanitarian organisations calling for sustained international support to prevent the situation from worsening further.

On Monday, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said that around 2,000 families have been affected by the recent floods in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.

The IOM said emergency relief items have been given to impacted families as humanitarian teams continued assessing urgent needs in flood-affected people, Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press reported.

The agency said many people lost homes, agricultural land and household property after flooding in Nangarhar, deteriorating humanitarian challenges faced by the vulnerable families of the province.

The IOM stated that additional humanitarian assistance is planned for at least 250 additional families in Nangarhar as recovery and emergency operations are underway in impacted regions.

According to the organisation, similar aid operations are being conducted in Laghman and Kunar, where recent flooding has caused damage to residents and infrastructure.

Humanitarian agencies said extreme weather conditions, including floods, harsh winters and droughts, have impacted Afghanistan in recent years, putting additional pressure on millions of people already struggling with poverty and displacement, Khaama Press reported.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
It's sad to see the situation worsening. But we also need long-term solutions, not just emergency aid. Afghanistan needs stable governance and economic recovery programmes. The international community, including India, should focus on sustainable agriculture and climate resilience there.
J
James A
I'm from Australia, but I follow this closely. The funding cuts by Western nations are shameful. We saw what happened after the withdrawal in 2021 – predictable consequences. These people are paying the price for geopolitical failures. India and others should step up.
R
Rohit P
Very concerning for women and children in particular. The WFP warned months ago about this. With regional tensions spiking food prices, it's only getting worse. India should share our expertise in drought-resistant crops and food distribution systems there.
S
Sarah B
I work with an NGO in the region and can confirm this is underreported. The floods in Nangarhar washed away entire villages. People have nothing left. The global community needs to wake up – this is a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in slow motion.
V
Vikram M
I appreciate the UN updates, but we also need to hold the Taliban regime accountable for their policies that worsen food insecurity. Women's exclusion from work and education is exacerbating this crisis. Aid is necessary, but so is pressure for human rights.
M
Michael C

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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