OCHA and WFP Warn of Worsening Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan Over Funding Shortfalls

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the World Food Programme have warned of a worsening humanitarian and malnutrition crisis in Afghanistan. The alerts follow severe budget shortfalls after the suspension of United States aid.

Only 11 percent of the 1.7 billion dollars required for the humanitarian response has been funded so far. This includes 195 million dollars secured until March, leaving an immediate budget of 465 million dollars that faces a 58 percent shortfall.

OCHA reported that assistance reached 4.7 million Afghans between Jaddi and Hoot 1404. Nevertheless, 21.9 million people across Afghanistan still require humanitarian support, with the target set at 17.5 million and coverage standing at 27 percent through the end of March.

WFP Executive Director Carl Skau stated that Afghanistan faces a malnutrition crisis affecting nearly five million children and mothers, with only 8 to 10 percent of the required budget secured.

Afghan economic experts and the Ministry of Economy have called for sustained aid increases, sanctions relief, and measures to strengthen the domestic economy in order to reduce reliance on foreign assistance. Ministry of Economy spokesperson Abdul Rahman Habib said humanitarian aid alone remains insufficient.