On Tuesday, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) unveiled a $1.71 billion plan to help Afghanistan in 2026. This humanitarian appeal aims to support around 17.5 million people across the country, focusing on life-saving aid and protective services. 🤲
OCHA estimates that 21.9 million Afghans will need assistance next year, a slight decrease of 4% from 2025. Among them, 17.4 million people face acute food insecurity, including 4.7 million in emergency conditions.
To address these challenges, humanitarian partners will prioritize five key areas:
- Food: Aid for 17.4 million people facing acute hunger, with special support for 4.7 million in IPC Phase 4 🍽️
- Shelter: Safe housing for families affected by floods and displacement 🏠
- Healthcare and Nutrition: Medical support to tackle disease outbreaks and malnutrition 🏥
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: Clean water and hygiene kits to prevent illness 🚰
- Cash Assistance: Flexible multipurpose cash support to help cover basic needs 💵
Deep structural vulnerabilities and recurrent shocks drive one of the world’s largest non-conflict humanitarian crises. Climate-driven droughts, frequent earthquakes and floods, and multiple disease outbreaks continue to strain communities. Severe protection risks also threaten women and girls.
Mass cross-border returns add pressure: in 2025, more than 2.61 million Afghans returned from Iran and Pakistan, overwhelming host communities and basic services.
With needs set to remain high, OCHA is calling on donors to step up support and help millions of Afghans access the aid they urgently need.
Reference(s):
UN launches $1.71 bln humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan in 2026
cgtn.com
