International alert: Afghanistan may deplete food resources by September
In August 2025, Afghanistan is grappling with a critical humanitarian crisis, marked by a severe food shortage and a lack of aid supplies. The situation is worsening due to the return of approximately 1.6 million Afghans from Iran and Pakistan this year, with 539,000 returning between July 1 and July 26, putting immense strain on relief efforts [1][3]. Additionally, a drought comparable to the 2018 crisis is affecting the northern, northeastern, central highlands, and western regions, further jeopardizing food and water security [1].
The UN, in response to this escalating crisis, will issue a flash appeal for Afghanistan in the coming days. The appeal aims to secure funds for the food sector, with at least $200 million required to maintain the current demand for food [4]. This is crucial, as more than half of all children under five in Afghanistan are suffering from severe malnutrition, and more than a third of the population is not getting enough to eat [1].
The World Food Programme (WFP) is also facing a critical funding shortfall, with resources expected to decrease by 34% in 2025 compared to 2024. This reduction could force cuts in food assistance, potentially affecting up to 16.7 million people worldwide, including those in Afghanistan [2].
The Deputy UN Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan, Ramiz Alakbarov, has expressed concern about the potential depletion of food supplies in Afghanistan as early as September. He has called for support for food, health, and protection services, as well as non-food items for those in dire need [3].
The current prioritized financial requirement to the UN and humanitarian partners to prevent large-scale displacement and starvation is approximately $1.63 billion for 2025 [1]. Funding cuts, particularly from the U.S. and major donors, have already reduced assistance coverage and are putting millions at risk [1].
The UN is determined to deliver aid, but more funds are needed to reach millions dependent on aid. Recently, around 600 tons of food were delivered by truck from Pakistan across the border [3]. However, the situation remains dire, and continued and increased humanitarian funding is urgently needed to avert a full-scale humanitarian disaster [1][2][3].
References:
[1] UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). (2025). Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) 2025. Retrieved from https://www.unocha.org/afghanistan/humanitarian-action/humanitarian-needs-overview
[2] World Food Programme (WFP). (2025). Afghanistan Crisis: WFP Faces Critical Funding Shortfall. Retrieved from https://www.wfp.org/news/afghanistan-crisis-wfp-faces-critical-funding-shortfall
[3] Reuters. (2025). Afghanistan Faces Severe Food and Humanitarian Crisis. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/afghanistan-faces-severe-food-and-humanitarian-crisis-2025-08-01/
[4] United Nations News. (2025). UN to Launch Flash Appeal for Afghanistan. Retrieved from https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1087172
- The escalating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan necessitates urgent attention in the political and general news spheres, as the UN has launched a flash appeal for Afghanistan to secure funds for the food sector, with millions at risk of starvation.
- Amidst this crisis, healthcare in Afghanistan is also under threat, with more than half of all children under five suffering from severe malnutrition and a third of the population not getting enough to eat.
