UNICEF Reports 19.2 Million Afghans Face Acute Hunger This Winter Amid Worsening Humanitarian Crisis and Funding Shortfalls

Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with UNICEF reporting that 15.9 million people faced crisis-level food insecurity or worse in September, projected to rise to 19.2 million this winter (November 2026-April 2027). This includes 5 million people facing emergency levels of hunger. Child wasting has reached its highest recorded levels, and acute malnutrition rates exceed 2025 levels in 23 provinces. The crisis is exacerbated by economic pressures, declining humanitarian assistance, continued returns from Pakistan and Iran, public health threats, and climate-related disasters. UNICEF's 2026 humanitarian appeal remains significantly underfunded, hindering essential services.