KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Save the Children reports that extreme weather events displaced at least 38,000 people across Afghanistan in the first six months of 2024, with half of them being children.
In a report released on Tuesday, August 6, the international humanitarian agency stated that displacement in the first half of this year due to droughts, extreme temperatures, floods, landslides, and storms exceeded that of all of 2023.
“Afghanistan is the sixth most vulnerable country to the impacts of climate change – but also one of the least able to adapt and cope with the impacts of the crisis,” Save the Children said.
Afghanistan has been struggling with a severe humanitarian crisis for years. Even before the Taliban’s takeover, conflict, natural disasters, chronic poverty, and food insecurity exacerbated instability and violence. The recent political changes have further intensified human suffering and displacement in the country.
According to the UN, while most displacement in recent decades has been due to conflict, in 2022 climate disasters became the primary reason people fled their homes and moved to other areas within Afghanistan.
Recent natural disasters, including floods, storms, landslides, and earthquakes across Afghanistan, have killed hundreds of people and destroyed thousands of homes, leading to a significant increase in the number of displaced individuals in the country.
The UN reports that one in seven Afghans is now facing long-term displacement, the highest rate in South Asia and the second highest globally.
“Afghanistan is seeing extreme weather events with alarming frequency. This year alone, thousands of people have not only been displaced by drought but also by floods,” said Arshad Malik, Country Director for Save the Children in Afghanistan.
“The climate crisis is fueling the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. It is forcing people from their homes, destroying water sources, and preventing children from going to school,” he added.
Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies are grappling with one of the most severe funding shortfalls in recent years. According to the UN, its $3.07 billion humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan remains significantly underfunded, with only 22.8% of the required funds secured to date.
“It’s been three years since direct international aid, which was equivalent to 40% of the GDP and financed up to 80% of public expenditure, was reduced after the de facto authorities regained control,” said the Country Director of Save the Children.
“Three years since the country saw a massive drop in assistance. Humanitarian agencies cannot be expected to plug this gap alone,” he added.
