Conflict, worsening food insecurity, natural disasters, climate change, and the mass return of displaced individuals have resulted in approximately 45% of Afghanistan’s population, or 21.9 million people, needing humanitarian aid in the coming year.
Among these, 17.5 million people, mainly women and children, received priority support through a coordinated response.
Basic Nutrition and Hygiene
Food security and sanitation are critical needs. The Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Afghanistan indicates that during the 2025-2026 lean season, over a third of the Afghan population will experience crisis-level or worse food insecurity as per the Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC). This will force households to deplete essential livelihoods to meet basic food needs, a marked decline from the prior year.
A prolonged drought has destroyed nearly 80% of rainfed wheat crops in some regions, leaving numerous families without winter food reserves. Sanitation is also a severe concern, with around 25% of households using unimproved water sources this year and 37% lacking soap for essential hygiene. Efforts will focus on water, sanitation, and hygiene, particularly in areas severely impacted by drought, cholera, disasters, and large-scale returns.
Returning Home in Case of Crisis
Afghanistan deals with a significant and rapidly expanding returnee displacement crisis, with about five million people returning this year. Over 2.6 million Afghans have come back from Iran and Pakistan due to stricter migration policies and deteriorating protection conditions. Many have returned to areas already burdened by poverty, food insecurity, drought, and limited access to essential services, increasing strain on local resources.
More Help for Less
In 2026, humanitarian partners plan to assist more individuals with fewer resources. The $1.71 billion needed signifies a 29% reduction from the 2025 requirements but aims to be about 4% higher than the previous year’s target. These adjustments are attributed to more precise prioritization, efficiency gains, and moving away from costly, unsustainable actions, as noted in the response plan.
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