KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that since January, it has provided cash and food assistance to 10.5 million people in Afghanistan.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, November 30, WFP stated that the main goals of this assistance were to nourish children, boost local economies, and empower communities.
WFP also noted that the operations were carried out with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and Germany’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the humanitarian situation in the country has severely worsened, making it one of the world’s most critical crises. Furthermore, the country remains highly vulnerable to intense and recurring natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides, due to its mountainous terrain and environmental degradation.
Before the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan relied on nearly $8 billion in foreign aid annually. Since then, international funding has significantly declined, with many countries reducing or halting aid due to concerns over the Taliban’s human rights abuses, its ties to terrorist groups, and other issues.
Currently, over half of Afghanistan’s population urgently requires humanitarian assistance, with an estimated 23.7 million people in need. Recent natural disasters, including earthquakes and floods, have only worsened the already dire conditions.
Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations are struggling with one of the worst funding shortfalls in years. The UN’s $3.07 billion appeal for Afghanistan remains critically underfunded, with only 31% of the required funds raised so far. Experts stress that while humanitarian assistance is essential, a long-term, coordinated international response is crucial to addressing the crisis in Afghanistan.
