KABUL — Climate-related disasters impacted nearly five million people in Afghanistan between January and March 2025, according to a new report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The IOM on Wednesday said that severe drought, flash floods, harsh winter temperatures, and heavy snowfall struck multiple regions of the country in the first quarter of the year, compounding the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The report found that 175,000 people were displaced inside Afghanistan during this period, with 79% of those displacements linked to climate-related hazards. Another 396,000 people were forced to migrate either internally or across borders due to extreme weather conditions.
The IOM underscored the disproportionate burden on rural communities, where residents are contending with destroyed homes, contaminated water sources, and limited or no access to healthcare. Over 80% of rural populations lack access to safe water infrastructure, the agency said, while food insecurity remains the most pressing concern.
According to the report, 47% of surveyed communities cited lack of food as their greatest challenge. The IOM warned that climate risks are intensifying, urging policymakers and aid organizations to act swiftly with data-informed planning and disaster preparedness.
Afghanistan has been experiencing consecutive years of climate-induced crises, including persistent drought that is depleting groundwater reserves and worsening agricultural conditions. Simultaneously, unseasonal rains and flash floods, exacerbated by shifting climate patterns, have caused widespread destruction in already-vulnerable farming regions.
