KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has raised the alarm over worsening drought conditions affecting 19 provinces across Afghanistan, pushing vulnerable rural communities to the brink.
In a post on X on Tuesday, FAO said that northern provinces, most notably Faryab, are facing severely depleted water reserves. Pastures have dried up, crops have failed, and both people and livestock are being forced to migrate in search of basic necessities.
“There is almost no water, pastures and crops are disappearing, and people along with livestock are on the move in search of essentials,” the agency reported, warning that “the window for large‑scale action is rapidly closing.”
This latest drought compounds a pattern of recurring water crises in Afghanistan. According to a report by ACAPS, the country has endured eight major droughts since 1969, including catastrophic events in 2018 and 2021 that affected over 11 million people. Ongoing groundwater depletion is threatening millions more.
Climate change is a significant driver of these worsening conditions. Temperatures in Afghanistan have risen by nearly 1.8 °C since 1950, leading to reduced snowfall in the Himalayas and diminished river flows. With precipitation trending lower, seasonal droughts are both more frequent and more severe.
Experts indicate that agriculture, which sustains roughly 30 % of Afghanistan’s GDP, bears the brunt of the crisis. A prolonged drought in 2022 reportedly shrank the economy by 6.6 %, largely due to collapsing farm output and livestock losses.
In provinces like Nimroz and Balkh, groundwater has dropped significantly, prompting farmers to abandon once‑productive fields and migrate to urban centers or neighboring countries.
FAO has emphasized the need for immediate action, calling for “investment in humanity” to protect livelihoods before more lives and infrastructure are lost. The agency is supporting farmers through cash‑for‑work programs to construct over 6,000 check‑dams, as well as distributing quality seeds, fertilizers, and training to improve water management. Initiatives also target women farmers, promoting climate‑resilient techniques such as solar drying and water‑harvesting systems.
However, funding remains a major challenge. A recent UN push to unlock international climate finance, including a proposed $10 million FAO project for rangeland and watershed management, and an $8.9 million UNDP resilience program, faces delays amid Afghanistan’s political isolation.
Without immediate and sustained intervention, Afghanistan risks further humanitarian collapse. Food insecurity, population displacement, and rising poverty remain imminent threats amid continuing climate extremes.
