KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that the suspension of U.S. humanitarian aid, particularly food aid, threatens food security for vulnerable Afghans who depend on external support.
In its March report released Friday, WFP noted that the suspension of food aid comes at a time of rising inflation and a growing number of returnees, many of whom urgently need support.
According to WFP, over 2.7 million Afghans have returned from Pakistan and Iran since August 2021. The pace has intensified in 2025, with Pakistan alone expected to deport 1.6 million Afghans this year. The agency said This influx is placing additional pressure on already strained local economies and services.
The report says economic activity in Afghanistan remains weak due to low investment, limited access to finance, and international isolation.
While trade with China and Central Asia has shown slight improvement, WFP said domestic demand continues to be weak, and growth prospects are minimal.
The World Bank forecasts little to no GDP growth this year unless there is a significant change in external aid or domestic reforms. The WFP also pointed out that the labor market struggles to absorb returning workers due to limited job opportunities and a fragile private sector.
Inflation is rising as well. WFP noted that the overall inflation rate reached -0.3% in February 2025, a notable rise from -10.2% in January 2024. Food inflation increased to -2.2% over the same period, while housing costs contributed to a non-food inflation rate of 1.6%.
According to the report, Afghanistan’s currency, the Afghani, appreciated by 3% in March, reaching AFN 71.6 per USD. WFP said the central bank’s intervention helped stabilize the currency following the aid suspension but warned that market uncertainty and continued aid disruptions remain key risks.
The average price of WFP’s food basket was AFN 5,302 in March—down 2% from the previous month. However, purchasing power remains low. The report said a full-time unskilled worker can afford only 55% of the basket on average, and merely 26% in Nuristan province, where food prices are the highest.
Despite some price drops in wheat, cooking oil, and sugar, WFP said food costs remain significantly higher than pre-COVID levels in most categories.
The agency warned that the aid cuts, inflation, and returnee crisis could push more families into hunger without renewed international support.
