Afghanistan

Conflict, Disasters & Hunger

Decades of conflict have left Afghans in extreme hunger, compounded by devastating natural disasters.

WFP has worked in Afghanistan for more than 60 years and, despite the challenges, is delivering lifesaving food to earthquake survivors.

Help Feed Families in Crisis: Afghanistan Hit by Deadly Earthquake as Hunger Surges

September 1, 2025

We are deeply saddened by the tragic earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan the evening of August 31, leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured. The World Food Programme (WFP) is on the ground supporting affected communities.

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Afghanistan Hunger Stats

Decades of complex conflicts, combined with an economic crisis and natural disasters, have pushed 10 million Afghans into the most extreme levels of hunger.

9.52M

Afghans face crisis levels of hunger

3.5M

Children are malnourished

11.8M

Afghans received food from WFP in 2024

Afghanistan Facts

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Population: 43.8 Million

Background: Afghanistan gained its independence in 1919. It’s experienced conflict and instability in recent decades.

Geography & Climate: Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South and Central Asia. Its terrain has rugged mountains and with arid plains. The country has hot, dry summers and cold, harsh winters.

Economy: Afghanistan’s economy has shrunk significantly since 2021 due to instability and sanctions. With 69% of the population below the poverty line and reduced humanitarian aid, millions are food insecure.

Causes of Hunger

Conflict

For decades, Afghans have lived through foreign intervention, civil war, insurgency and widespread insecurity. This has destroyed the country’s economic growth, limiting opportunities and making poverty worse. The recent escalation of conflict has thrown the lives of Afghan families into turmoil and uncertainty.

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Earthquakes

Afghanistan is especially vulnerable to earthquakes because it sits on top of multiple tectonic plates. The latest quake struck the evening of August 31, leaving 800 people dead and thousands injured. Families urgently need food to survive this disaster.

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Drought

A massive drought in 2018 – the worst in a decade – wreaked havoc on most of the country. It displaced thousands, kept farmers from growing crops and forced people to sell animals. Today, drought conditions are taking hold with wheat harvests in northern and western Afghanistan.

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History of Hunger in Afghanistan

1979-1989

Soviet-Afghan War

This decade-long conflict caused over one million deaths and 6 million of civilians to flee the country, creating a massive humanitarian crisis.

1992-1996

Civil War

An internal conflict displaced millions and created a hunger crisis. WFP expanded emergency aid to help civilians.

1996-2001

Drought

Successive years of drought destroyed harvests and livestock. WFP provided food aid, particularly to rural communities.

2001-2021

Intervention

During this period of international intervention and conflict, WFP supported Afghans with food aid and resilience buidling.

2021-

Economic Collapse

The withdrawal of international forces triggered an economic collapse, mass unemployment and severe food shortages.

2022-Present

Natural Disasters

Successive droughts, floods and earthquakes have compounded the humanitarian crisis and worsened hunger. WFP has scaled up emergency relief to meet needs.

WFP's Work in Afghanistan

WFP has worked in Afghanistan since 1963 with a special focus on women and girls. With your help, we provide:

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Food & Cash

In 2024, WFP reached 11.8 million people through emergency food and cash assistance. WFP prioritizes food assistance for vulnerable women and girls facing extreme hunger.

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School Meals

WFP’s school meals are a lifeline for the children of Afghanistan. Through daily meals, hundreds of thousands of students receive the nutrition they need to thrive in the classroom.

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mothers wearing blue burqas and holding their children at nutrition center

Child Nutrition

Afghanistan faces the sharpest surge in malnutrition ever recorded in the country. WFP continues to support millions of women and children through nutrition assistance.

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Resilience Building

WFP helps communities to build assets like flood protection walls and water canals. These projects protect agricultural land and combat the effects of the climate crisis.

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