UN Warns of Severe Funding Shortfall for Afghanistan's 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan

KABUL (Afghan Verified) -- The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned of a large funding gap threatening humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, with only $211 million, or 12.3 percent, secured so far out of the $1.7 billion required for the 2026 Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan.

OCHA stated that 87.7 percent of the budget remains unfunded. The European Union is the largest donor, contributing $62.6 million, followed by the United Kingdom, Asian Development Bank, Switzerland and Japan. Other donors include Germany, Canada, Denmark, Australia and Italy.

In sector breakdowns, food security and agriculture has received $49.2 million of the $651.1 million needed, representing 7.6 percent. The health sector has $29.6 million out of $190.8 million required. Education is 30.2 percent funded, and multi-purpose cash assistance is 65.6 percent funded.

Among the most underfunded sectors are nutrition at 2.7 percent, emergency shelter and non-food items at 3.4 percent, water and sanitation at 4.5 percent, and coordination at 7.3 percent.

OCHA urged donors to act urgently, noting that humanitarian needs remain critically high, especially in food security, nutrition and other key sectors.