KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Afghanistan is facing some of the worst impacts of climate change in the region, according to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
Marking Earth Day on April 22, UNAMA warned that the country is grappling with a “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
The mission highlighted a combination of rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and worsening environmental stress as major threats to life across the country.
“Years of deforestation have taken away natural protection,” UNAMA said. “Wells and rivers are drying up, and water scarcity is turning into a national crisis.”
It also pointed to the increasing impact of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, which are compounding the struggles of already vulnerable communities. “These challenges are putting pressure on farmers, worsening poverty, and pushing fragile ecosystems to the brink,” UNAMA warned.
The UN mission called for urgent investment in reforestation, improved water management, and climate-smart solutions to protect the country’s environment and future generations.
The European Union (EU) also raised concern about the consequences of climate change on Afghanistan’s agriculture, food security, and rural livelihoods. In a message posted on X, the EU pledged continued support for climate-resilient programs in the country.
Despite contributing just 0.08% to global greenhouse gas emissions, Afghanistan is among the most climate-vulnerable nations.
The country has faced one of its worst droughts in decades, worsening food and water shortages at a time of deepening humanitarian need. Access to clean drinking water remains a growing concern.
The country’s mountainous terrain and ongoing environmental degradation also make it prone to regular natural disasters, including landslides, earthquakes, and flash floods.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), nearly nine million people in Afghanistan were affected by climate-related hazards in the past year, with more than half a million displaced by disasters.
Meanwhile, the country’s humanitarian situation has worsened since the Taliban’s return to power, with over half of the population now dependent on international aid. However, declining global support has left humanitarian agencies struggling to deliver life-saving assistance to those in urgent need.
