One in Three Afghans Suffers Hunger; Iran War Worsens Crisis

Afghanistan is grappling with a dire hunger crisis, where one in three people suffers from malnutrition. This dire situation, exacerbated by years of drought, poverty, and a lack of employment, is projected to intensify as winter approaches. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that nearly 14 million Afghans are undernourished, with 3.7 million children and 1.2 million pregnant or breastfeeding women expected to face acute malnutrition this year.

The root of the crisis lies not in a scarcity of food but in its unaffordability. Food prices have skyrocketed in markets, placing essential items beyond the reach of the majority of the impoverished population. Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, the economy has been in a deep slump, leading to widespread unemployment and a lack of stable income. Approximately two-thirds of Afghanistan's 46 million inhabitants live in poverty.

John Aylieff, the WFP director for Afghanistan, highlights that while food is available in markets, people lack the money to purchase it. He notes that a worker might find informal employment for only two days a week, earning just a few dollars, which is insufficient to feed a family. Many Afghans are surviving on bread and tea.

Compounding these issues, Pakistan and Iran have forced over six million Afghan refugees and labor migrants to return home since 2023. This influx has intensified pressure on the job market. Furthermore, many families have lost the crucial financial support previously provided by remittances from relatives working abroad. With little savings left after years of hardship, these families are now in an even more precarious situation.