Afghanistan Faces Worsening Hunger Crisis as Winter and Aid Cuts Bite

Post by : Saif Nasser

Afghanistan is facing one of the worst hunger crises in its recent history. Millions of people are struggling to survive as winter brings freezing temperatures and international aid shrinks. Families who have already endured years of conflict now find themselves without food, income, or hope.

Samiullah, 55, sits in a small tent near Kabul with his wife, five children, and three-month-old grandchild. Their only meal is dry bread and tea. “We have reached a point where we are content with death,” he said. Samiullah’s family, like millions of other Afghans, returned home after being deported from neighboring countries, including Iran and Pakistan, where they had worked and lived for years.

The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that 17 million people in Afghanistan face acute hunger. Recent aid cuts and the massive return of migrants have made the situation even worse. In the past year alone, more than 2.5 million Afghans were deported by Iran and Pakistan, creating a sudden spike in the population that needs urgent assistance.

Many of these families had been earning a living abroad and sending remittances home, which supported their communities. With these incomes gone, they now face extreme poverty. Jobs are scarce, winter has made work difficult, and food prices are high. John Aylieff, WFP’s country director, said that 3 million more people now face acute hunger because remittances have disappeared.

Aid programs are struggling to meet the rising demand. Cuts to global funding have weakened the resources of organizations like WFP, leaving many families with insufficient food and medical support. The situation is especially serious for children. Experts predict that 200,000 more children will suffer from severe malnutrition in 2026.

At aid distribution centers, supplies like rice and palm oil are often not enough to feed the long lines of people waiting for help. Zahra Ahmadi, a 50-year-old widowed mother of eight, said, “Sometimes we eat, sometimes we don’t. I am forced to manage the winter with these supplies.” Clinics are overwhelmed as more families arrive seeking medical help and nutrition support for their children. Dr. Rabia Rahimi Yadgari at the Qasaba Clinic in Kabul said patient numbers have doubled since the return of migrants.

The crisis is also linked to the collapse of Afghanistan’s economy after the Taliban takeover in 2021. Many government jobs disappeared, leaving households with no steady income. Laila, 30, said her family struggled to survive even with aid: “Life never remains the same. My husband lost his job, and gradually our economic situation collapsed.”

For returning families like Samiullah’s, winter is particularly harsh. Firewood is scarce, and tents provide little protection against freezing nights. “My children say, ‘Father, I’m cold, I’m freezing.’ I hold them in my arms and say, ‘It’s OK.’ What choice do we have?” Samiullah said.

This humanitarian crisis shows that Afghanistan’s problems go beyond politics. Even as international attention shifts, families remain trapped in extreme poverty and hunger. Without increased aid and long-term economic solutions, millions will continue to suffer, and children will be at the greatest risk.

The international community must act quickly to prevent further loss of life. Food, medical aid, and economic support are urgently needed. Winter is not just a season in Afghanistan—it is a test of humanity, survival, and global responsibility.