Afghanistan has announced a $100 million food security program to tackle a worsening hunger crisis. The initiative is supported by the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank.
The two-year program will assist more than 151,000 families. It will focus on Afghan returnees from Iran and Pakistan. It will also help communities affected by recent floods and earthquakes.
The country faces a severe humanitarian situation. Millions are struggling with hunger due to lost remittances and limited job opportunities. Cuts in foreign aid and the ongoing economic crisis have made conditions worse.
Qu Dongyu, director of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, said the program will meet immediate food needs. He added that it will also help close Afghanistan’s food production gap. The initiative is designed to support private sector recovery as well.
According to FAO reports, 17.4 million people are expected to face acute food insecurity in 2026. About 4.7 million people are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition.
Over the past year, more than 2.5 million Afghans were deported from Iran and Pakistan. This has increased the population and cut off vital remittance income for many families.
Aid agencies say winter conditions, scarce jobs, and funding shortfalls have added to the strain on households. The World Food Programme reported that last year saw the largest surge in malnutrition ever recorded in Afghanistan. Conditions are expected to worsen further this year.
The $100 million food security program aims to prevent a humanitarian disaster. It combines immediate food aid with long-term strategies to ensure food resilience.
