OCHA: 21.9 Million Afghans Will Need Humanitarian Assistance in 2026
The agency warned that food insecurity is rapidly deteriorating, with 17.4 million people projected to face acute food insecurity next year.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that 21.9 million people in Afghanistan will require humanitarian assistance in 2026.
In a report released on Monday (December 8), OCHA said the figure represents a four-percent decrease compared with this year, but Afghanistan remains among the countries with the highest levels of humanitarian needs in non-conflict settings.
Humanitarian agencies plan to prioritize assistance for 17.5 million people next year and are seeking $1.72 billion in funding. According to the report, aid efforts will focus on life-saving and protection services, including food assistance, shelter, health care, nutrition, clean water, sanitation, and multipurpose cash support.
OCHA said humanitarian conditions in Afghanistan continue to be shaped by deep structural vulnerabilities, worsening food insecurity, and repeated shocks – including climate-driven drought, mass return of migrants, earthquakes, recurring floods, disease outbreaks, and heightened protection risks, particularly for women and girls.
The agency warned that food insecurity is rapidly deteriorating, with 17.4 million people projected to face acute food insecurity next year. Of these, 5.2 million are expected to experience emergency-level food insecurity – more than double the number recorded in 2025.
Ongoing drought continues to affect large parts of the country, with 12 provinces severely impacted. OCHA estimates that 3.4 million people are already affected by drought, and forecasts indicate below-average rainfall and above-average temperatures through early 2026.
The report also highlights serious protection risks for aid workers, driven in part by Taliban restrictions on women and girls, the introduction of new limitations, and rising gender-based violence.
OCHA previously estimated that 22.9 million Afghans required humanitarian assistance in 2025, and had prioritized 16.8 million people for support at a cost of $2.42 billion. However, the agency repeatedly warned throughout the year that donor funding fell far short of requirements.
Other UN agencies have also reported significant funding shortfalls. The World Food Programme, for example, says budget constraints have forced it to cut the number of food-aid recipients from 10 million to just 2 million.
About The Author
