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Key Points

Afghanistan remains the world’s most food-insecure country, with 75% of its population struggling to secure basic needs. Drought, economic collapse, and Taliban-imposed restrictions have left 12 million Afghans in urgent need of food aid. The FAO warns that without immediate international support, hunger-related deaths will surge. Women and children face the worst impacts as job bans and failing agriculture push families deeper into poverty.

Key Points: Afghanistan Tops FAO List as World's Most Food-Insecure Nation

  • 75% of Afghans struggle with livelihood insecurity amid worsening drought
  • Over 12 million urgently need food aid due to poverty and Taliban policies
  • FAO warns of rising hunger deaths without increased humanitarian assistance
  • Women and children hardest hit as job bans deepen economic crisis
2 min read

Afghanistan ranked world's most food-insecure nation: FAO

75% of Afghans face livelihood instability as drought, poverty, and Taliban restrictions worsen hunger crisis, with 12 million needing urgent aid.

"Afghanistan’s food crisis demonstrates a dangerous mix of conflict, climate shocks, and collapsing livelihoods. – FAO Officials"

Kabul, August 1

Afghanistan remains the most food-insecure country across the world, with 75 per cent people facing livelihood instability and more than 12 million urgently requiring food aid as drought and poverty deepens in the nation, a UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report detailed on Friday.

According to the FAO report, Afghanistan has once again been ranked at the top in the list of nations facing food insecurity in 2024 and 2025. The report released by FAO on Wednesday stated that 295 million people in 53 nations are facing acute hunger, which showcases a rise of 13 million compared to 2023, Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported.

Afghanistan has been included in the FAO's chronic hunger list since 2016, alongside Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Syria and Yemen due to political turmoil, humanitarian crisis and climate change impacts. Poverty remains one of the main drivers of worsening food insecurity in Afghanistan. The return of over 1.6 million Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan, falling international aid and strict economic restrictions have pushed millions of Afghans below the poverty line.

According to the UN, 75 per cent of Afghanistan's population faces livelihood insecurity and more than 12 million urgently require food assistance. Consecutive droughts, mass unemployment and damaged agricultural infrastructure have severely weakened domestic food production capacity of Afghanistan.

Crops have destroyed and livestock farming has been disrupted in Ghor and Badakhshan provinces of Afghanistan. Women and children are particularly vulnerable in Afghanistan. Taliban's restrictions on jobs and education of women have further cut families from critical sources of income.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that hunger-related deaths in Afghanistan will continue to surge sharply without increased humanitarian aid. FAO officials have said that Afghanistan’s food crisis demonstrates a dangerous mix of conflict, climate shocks, and collapsing livelihoods. Aid agencies have reiterated their call for support from international community, warning that Afghanistan risks spiraling into one of the world’s worst hunger disasters if there is no sustained funding and access for relief operations.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Why isn't our government doing more? We share borders with Afghanistan and have historical ties. India should lead regional humanitarian efforts instead of waiting for Western nations. At least send wheat shipments like we did before.
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Aman W
The Taliban's restrictions on women are making this crisis worse. How can a country develop when half its population isn't allowed to work or study? This is a man-made disaster as much as a natural one.
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Sarah B
While the situation is tragic, India has its own poverty challenges to address first. We can't solve the world's problems when millions of our own children are malnourished. Charity begins at home.
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Vikram M
The climate change angle is worrying - droughts are becoming more frequent across South Asia. Afghanistan today, could be parts of India tomorrow if we don't address water management and farming practices.
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Nisha Z
Remember when India used to give scholarships to Afghan students? Those small gestures built so much goodwill. We should restart such programs - education and food security go hand in hand for long-term solutions.

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