United Nations in Afghanistan

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Afghanistan:

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Publication

15 April 2026

2025 UN Afghanistan Annual Results Report

Throughout 2025, and despite declining global assistance, the United Nations in Afghanistan, with generous support of its donors and partners, continued to deliver essential services and to strengthen pathways toward recovery and resilience.Funding to basic human needs programming under the United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan 2023-2027 increased for the third consecutive year, reachingUSD1.7 billion in 2025."Millions of Afghans were reached with essential services, economic opportunities, and livelihoods support,” said Indrika Ratwatte, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator. “For example, the UN and partners reached more than 34 million individuals: 43% men and 57% women—received healthcare, over 4.6 million children—58% boys and 42% girls—enrolled in public education with UN assistance, and around 45,000 long-term jobs were created, with 45% for men and 55% for women, ensuring decent employment and income generation.” In 2025, reduced levels of humanitarian assistance, large-scale population movements, climate pressures and disasters, as well as operational constraints, continued to put pressure on households, markets and essential services in Afghanistan.Yet, communities across Afghanistan showed remarkable resilience, working with the United Nations, national and international stakeholders, to meet urgent needs while laying the foundations for longer-term self-reliance.Partnerships remained central in 2025. Platforms such as the High-Level Coordination Forum facilitated dialogue amongst international partners and the de facto authorities to support an enabling environment for assistance.The Afghanistan Coordination Group brought together key donor partners including International Financial Institutions, whose sustained financial contributions were critical in ensuring that funding allocations were aligned with agreed strategic aid priorities responding to the needs of ordinary people.Looking ahead, the needs of the Afghan people remain front and center of United Nations action. Continued collaboration and partnership among national stakeholders, regional partners, and the international community will be critical. The United Nations in Afghanistan reaffirms its dedication to working with all partners toward a more inclusive and resilient future for Afghanistan—guided and inspired by the perseverance of its people.

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Story

29 July 2026

Women at the Heart of Recovery

Families who once faced the uncertainty of displacement are gradually rebuilding their lives, not only by replacing what was lost, but by restoring a sense of safety, dignity and hope. While new homes now stand where destruction once remained, the true measure of recovery is found in the everyday moments that signal a fresh beginning.In Butan Village of Gulran District, that new beginning unfolded in an unexpected way.As newly constructed transitional shelters neared completion, women from earthquake-affected households played an active role in preparing the homes before families moved in. Through a carefully planned and culturally appropriate initiative, they helped transform newly built shelters into welcoming spaces where neighbours, friends, and relatives could begin rebuilding their lives. Their contribution extended beyond preparing the shelters, it fostered a sense of ownership, strengthened community bonds, and demonstrated that recovery is most meaningful when communities, especially women, are empowered to shape it.For many, it was the first opportunity to contribute directly to rebuilding their community."Through our participation and by being able to contribute to the finalization of our own homes, we gained a strong sense of confidence and belonging. We truly came to believe that even the dreams we once thought were impossible could become a reality. The thought that I would one day have a home of my own and contribute to making it ready for my family was once only a hope. Today, I see that hope has become a reality. This work is a reminder that our hopes and wishes can come true. I feel proud and grateful to have a safe and dignified place for my children and my family."Developed through close consultation with women, community leaders and local representatives, the initiative created a safe and respectful opportunity for women to take part in the final stage of recovery. Their participation was voluntary and reflected local traditions while ensuring women could contribute to rebuilding their communities.That sense of belonging soon became visible.As families settled into their shelters, they began making them their own. Young trees were planted outside with the hope they would one day provide shade for children and grandchildren. Decorative mirrors and handcrafted details appeared inside, while family photographs and personal belongings gradually filled the once-empty rooms. They reflected something far more meaningful: families no longer saw the shelters as temporary structures. They saw them as home.During a recent visit to the community, Andrew Kirkwood UNOPS Interim Country Director and Representative, reflected on what recovery means beyond rebuilding homes."Recovery is about much more than replacing what was lost," he said. "By combining earthquake and climate-resilient construction with traditional construction practices, locally made materials and designs that reflect local culture, we are helping communities rebuild safer homes while preserving their identity and dignity. When communities help shape the recovery process, reconstruction becomes more resilient, sustainable and meaningful."For parents, the shelters offer far more than protection from the elements. They provide children with a safe place to sleep, learn, and play, while restoring families' privacy, dignity, and the simple joy of welcoming relatives and neighbours into their homes once again. For many, they represent the return of everyday moments that disaster had taken away.Recovery after disaster is rarely defined by bricks and mortar alone. It is reflected in children laughing outside their homes, neighbours gathering once again, families planting trees for future generations, and communities rediscovering a sense of safety, belonging, and hope. These are the moments that signal recovery has truly begun.More than three years after the earthquakes struck Herat, every shelter stands as more than a physical structure. It is a foundation for resilience, a symbol of hope, and a reminder that with the right support, communities can rebuild not only their homes, but also their confidence, dignity, and future.Supported through the Infrastructure for Basic Needs (IBN) Project, and implemented by UNOPS, these efforts demonstrate that recovery is strongest when communities are empowered to rebuild their own houses and communities.

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28 July 2026

Health, Hope, and Community Ownership in Nad Ali

With the nearest health center more than 10 kilometres away, and Lashkargah city 30 kilometres out, treatable illnesses often went unchecked. Today, the Naseran Family Health House (FHH) stands as a beacon of community resilience and UN joint delivery.The story of Naseran FHH begins with the community itself. Previously relying on rented homes for medical care, local residents took ownership of their future by donating the plot of land where the clinic now sits. From there, Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA)’s Participant UN Organizations delivered as one: IOM constructed the facility, UNDP solarized it to ensure reliable power, and UNFPA constructed the boundary wall. Today, UNFPA runs the health center, providing all medical supplies and paying the salaries of the healthcare workers. The facility has mapped its services to cover 8,000 individuals and currently welcomes over 80 walk-in patients every single day. Services are entirely free of charge. The clinic features dedicated Outpatient Departments (OPDs) for both men and women, offering rapid testing and medication for malaria, TB, and other ailments, while referring severe cases to comprehensive regional hospitals.A Lifeline for Mothers and ChildrenStaffed by a dedicated team of ten, the facility is a lifeline for maternal and child health. Last month alone, the midwives safely facilitated 32 deliveries. While general services, public awareness campaigns, and malnutrition screenings (which recently supported over 50 children) run until 4:00 PM, the facility’s delivery services are open 24 hours a day. Through dedicated immunization rooms, family planning, antenatal care, and mobile vaccine outreach for children under five, the Naseran Family Health House proves that when we pool our resources and empower communities, we save lives.

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27 July 2026

Afghan Returnees: Struggle to Rebuilding Life

Following the 2021 government takeover in Afghanistan, Eidi Mohammad, a 32-year-old father of two, lost his usual work and income suddenly. As a daily wage labourer, opportunities quickly disappeared, leaving him unable to support his family of four — his wife, his 8-year-old daughter Hasiba, and his 3-year-old son Edris. Facing mounting economic pressure, he made the difficult decision to go to Iran in search of more stable livelihood.“I moved with my family to Iran in 2021 because I could not find any work in my village,” he recalls. “The journey was extremely difficult and full of risks.” Together with his family, he walked for days a very long distance to an unknown destination.In Iran, Eidi found work at construction site and was able to enroll his daughter in school. “I used to earn around 800,000 Iranian tomans per day (approximately USD 6), and life felt more stable,” he says. Despite the challenges of living as an undocumented migrant, he was able to meet his family’s basic needs for several years.However, Eidi’s hardship continued in the years that followed. The governments of Pakistan and Iran adopted policies and regularizations to return Afghan nationals to their own country already facing the impacts of decades of conflict and economic decline. According to UN OCHA, nearly 2.8 million Afghans were forcibly returned in 2025 alone. Eidi was among them.At the Islam Qala border, which is a major crossing point between Iran and Afghanistan, Eidi’s family received initial emergency support from aid entities, but returning home brought immediate challenges. In his village in Zindajan, Herat, his father’s mud house where Eidi intended to live had been destroyed in the 2023 earthquake, leaving the family without adequate shelter. Decades of conflict, displacement, and limited access to basic services have left many families like Eidi’s, struggling to rebuild their lives. Many have experienced repeated cycles of migration, displacement and returns, with long-term uncertainty about their future. After his return to Afghanistan, Eidi spent months searching for work, like many other returnees, often alongside many other unemployed men in his community. Still, he held onto hope that an opportunity might emerge closer to home.That opportunity came in October 2025, when he learned about the Cash-for-Work programme implemented by UN-Habitat with support from the Government of Japan through the Japa International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This activity was carried out as part of the project aimed at supporting a better recovery following the 2023 Herat earthquake.The programme provided temporary income generation opportunities while supporting the rehabilitation of essential community infrastructure, including cleaning irrigation canals, removing waste buildup, and leveling roads.“For the first time, I could work in my own village and earn with dignity,” Eidi says.Over 44 days, he earned a total of 15,400 AFN (approximately USD 5 per day), allowing him to purchase food and basic necessities for his family.“Receiving wages for work in my own village felt like a dream,” he says, “I had lost hope because there was no work but with this programme sparks of hope lightened in our hearts again even though it’s a short-term opportunity.”Through UN-Habitat community-based approaches, returnees like Eidi are not only gaining access to short-term livelihood support but also contributing to identifying and addressing local priorities. This helps strengthen community ownership while supporting recovery and reintegration.While the support was temporary, it restored a sense of dignity and possibility. “I will continue to look for work,” Eidi says, “providing for my family is my top priority”Across Afghanistan, many families like Eidi’s continue to face poverty and uncertainty. According to the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) 2026, nearly 65% of the Afghan population is experiencing multidimensional poverty. Limited job opportunities and fragile economic conditions continue to challenge returnees as they rebuild their lives.

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27 July 2026

Hope and Hidden Talents: Lighting the Path for Afghanistan’s Future

Surrounded by the high mountains of central Afghanistan, Bamyan remains one of the country’s most isolated provinces. Harsh winters and difficult road conditions often disconnect communities from the rest of the country for months, limiting access to services and economic opportunities.Despite these challenges, the United Nations and its partners have maintained a strong presence in Bamyan, supporting communities through a range of initiatives. In July, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC) Bruno Lemarquis visited the Bamyan province. He listened to the voices of the people, reminding everyone that communities must be at the heart of decisions. “It is so important to listen to the people, to understand their challenges, opportunities and aspirations, in order to better respond to their needs,” he said.During the visit, the DSRSG/RC/HC and delegation observed projects in agriculture and irrigation (FAO), livelihoods and economic resilience (UNDP), protection, women’s engagement and empowerment (UN Women), culture and heritage preservation (UNESCO), and health services (UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO), among other interventions. These efforts are helping people address daily challenges, strengthen resilience, generate income, preserve cultural heritage, and reduce vulnerability to natural disasters. While meaningful progress has been achieved, significant needs remain. Continued support is essential to ensure Bamyan’s communities can withstand ongoing economic hardships and build a more resilient future.“This is not a dark school anymore, the solar panels turned on the lights in our classrooms,” said 13-year-old Nilab, her eyes shining with pride. “Electricity in the schools means real connection to technology, and this is how we need more.”Nilab’s words capture the transformation unfolding in Panjab district, nestled deep in the rugged highlands of Bamyan, Afghanistan. Here, where bumpy roads and towering mountains isolate communities from the rest of the country, children cling to education as their brightest hope. Despite restrictions on girls’ secondary and higher education in Afghanistan, primary school students gather each day with determination, eager to learn, a hope of re-accessing higher education.The gift of electricity has unlocked access to technology, igniting motivation and possibility for students who dream of a future beyond the mountains. Thanks to the United Nations and its partners, solar panels now power classrooms that were once dim and cold. Travel further into Waras district, and you’ll find the same spirit of resilience. Women like Khadija are teaching skills that help families survive and thrive. “Women play a key role in improving economies of their families,” she explained. “There are hidden talents in women and girls of these communities, and we discover them when support is provided.”The UN has provided local women in Waras with opportunities in sewing and tailoring, helping them build both skills and livelihoods. Through technical and vocational education and training (TVET), women have gained practical skills while also establishing links with suppliers and local markets. These highly demanded opportunities enable them to sell their products, generate income, and contribute to their household economies, strengthening both their financial independence and community resilience. The UN’s support in Bamyan spans many aspects of the needs, including healthcare, agriculture, education, protection, and economic empowerment, each initiative strengthening resilience against droughts, displacement, and poverty. Yet, the DSRSG/RC/HC emphasized, sustainability is key. “Communities need more than emergency aid; they need lasting investments and solutions in education, healthcare, jobs, and dignity.”This is where the support of our donors makes all the difference. Their generosity brings light to Nilab’s classroom, opening doors to learning and technology, fighting climate change impacts on lives of people. It enables women like Khadija to equip women with skills that strengthen families, ensures mothers can experience safer childbirth, and provides communities with access to essential healthcare—basic, yet truly lifesaving.It sustains communities facing harsh challenges. Every donation is more than aid—it is hope, resilience, and a promise that the world has not forgotten Afghanistan’s women, girls, and families. “Together, we can keep the lights on, together, we can stand with Afghanistan,” Lemarquis called on the international community.

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26 July 2026

Solar-powered greenhouses enable Afghan women to grow food, income and hope

For seven years after her husband died, Noorhaya*, 45, toiled under the harsh sun in Kandahar Province, southern Afghanistan, trying to grow enough vegetables to feed her three children. Each year, the heat and insects destroyed most of her crops.“No matter how hard we worked, we could not grow enough to improve our situation,” Noorhaya* said. “Life has been full of challenges. We live in a simple mud house and most days we depended on basic food like wheat, peas and beans.”Around 170 kilometres away in neighbouring Helmand Province, Khadija* faced similar struggles. A mother of eight, she and her extended family relied on farming to survive in a region where temperatures regularly exceed 40 degrees Celsius and water is increasingly scarce.“Most of the year, Helmand suffers from drought and farmers struggle with serious water shortages,” she explains. “As the population has grown, water has to be shared among more people, making agriculture even harder for families like ours who depend on farming.” Today, a UN Women initiative is giving Noorhaya*, Khadija* and 64 other women across Kandahar, Helmand and Nimroz Provinces the chance to earn livelihoods and feed their families through climate-smart vegetable production.Through a local partner, and with funding from the Government of Japan, UN Women is establishing solar-powered greenhouses in southern Afghanistan, where communities are increasingly affected by drought, extreme heat and climate-related shocks. More than 20 greenhouses equipped with solar-powered irrigation systems and water-efficient technologies now enable year-round vegetable production despite limited water and extreme temperatures. Women farmers receive technical and business training, including on greenhouse management, irrigation, crop production and business literacy. Noorhaya* was assigned a greenhouse, seeds and tools, six solar panels, a water tank and a machine to extract water more easily from a well.“We started growing cucumbers to sell in the market – the income allows us to buy flour, oil, vegetables and other daily necessities,” she said. “Now we can grow vegetables three to four times a year, keeping some for our family and selling the rest. This greenhouse allowed us to continue farming, despite the challenging climate, and helped improve our family’s economic situation.” Khadija* was able to start growing tomatoes, zucchini and eggplants in her greenhouse.“This changed our lives,” she said. “Now, we have access to fresh vegetables almost every day. We eat more nutritious food and can already see the difference in our family’s health. Before, we often had to borrow food and household supplies because we did not have enough income. Now, we are hopeful that our lives will continue to improve.”A third woman selected to receive a greenhouse under the project, Nasima*, 38, just completed her training and is about to plant her first vegetables, in Helmand Province.“This greenhouse is very important to me – it gives me hope that we will not always have to depend on borrowing money,” she said. “For the first time, I have something of my own to manage and grow. I wake up every day with hope, taking care of the soil and preparing for the crops that will soon grow…It is not just a project – it is a chance for a better life, for our children, and for us.” Communities across Afghanistan face growing climate risks that threaten livelihoods and increase the risk of displacement, in a country where 21.9 million people already need humanitarian assistance. Expanding climate-smart livelihood opportunities such as solar-powered greenhouses can help women adapt to these challenges, strengthen household food security and generate sustainable income for their families, while building more resilient communities. * Names changed to protect identities.

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Press Release

19 May 2026

UN AND NGOS LAUNCH US$ 529 MILLION RESPONSE PLAN FOR 2.7 MILLION AFGHAN RETURNEES FROM IRAN AND PAKISTAN

Since September 2023, nearly 5.9 million Afghans have returned to the country – an increase of 10 to 12 per cent of Afghanistan’s population in just over two years (excluding the year-on-year population growth estimated at 2.74% in 2026). In 2025 alone, 2.9 million returnees arrived, followed by another 600,000 in the first four months of 2026.The response plan launched today projects a further 1.7 million estimated returns from Iran and 1.1 million from Pakistan in the coming eight‑months period.“This is not a short‑term border event. It is a profound demographic and development challenge that requires a sustained, principled, and fully funded response,” said Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, a.i. for Afghanistan. “Over half of those returning are women and children, many of whom were born and raised outside Afghanistan. They either have weak or no ties to their communities of origin. While immediate humanitarian assistance at reception points remains essential, without medium‑term investment in livelihoods, housing, clean water, health, and protection, we risk secondary displacement, deepening poverty, and social tensions that will affect both returnees and the host communities.”The 2026 RPAR is built on a two-tier strategy, highlighting the importance of investment in both border (emergency and lifesaving) and (re-)integration (medium to long-term needs).Border response (US$ 100.7 million): lifesaving multi‑sectoral assistance – including multi‑purpose cash, health, nutrition, protection, WASH, and transport – delivered at key official crossing points with Iran and Pakistan, by the Border Consortium, led by IOM.Re‑)integration response in Areas of Return (US$ 428.5 million): aiming to provide assistance for families to rebuild their lives safely and with dignity while strengthening services and reducing pressure on host communities in 35 priority districts where needs are highest. Interventions focus on restoring access to essential services (education, health, WASH), creating economic opportunities and resilient livelihoods, and securing housing and land rights – all underpinned by the centrality of protection, gender equality, and social cohesion, coordinated by Durable Solution Working Group.“The scale of need is immense, but so is the collective capacity of UN agencies, NGOs, and our partners,” added (Ms) Thamindri De Silva, Country Director of World Vision International. “The border consortium alone requires US$ 100.7 million. This figure only covers 40 per cent of the most vulnerable returnees, even though 70 per cent meet our vulnerability criteria. Funding gaps at the border directly affect our ability to address risks and support sustainable reintegration.”The launch event, held in Kabul, brought together representatives from the donor governments, UN agencies, NGOs, and media. A recording of the event and the full response plan will be available upon request.The United Nations and NGO partners urge donors to fully fund the 2026 RPAR to prevent a deterioration of the humanitarian and protection crisis and to build a foundation for recovery, sustainable (re-)integration, and resilience for millions of Afghans. *** Press contact:Abdul Rahman Zaeem, Communications and Advocacy Officer: abdul.zaeem@un.org

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Press Release

05 May 2026

WHO and IsDB strengthen lifesaving care for women and children in Afghanistan

While access to care has improved in recent years – antenatal care coverage has increased from 31% to 76% and skilled birth attendance from 24% to 67% since 2007/2008 – many women still face life-threatening risks during pregnancy and childbirth. While child mortality has declined from 129 deaths per 1000 live births in 2000 to 56 in 2023, maternal mortality remains high at 521 deaths per 100 000 live births.In Afghanistan, 521 mother die in each 100000 life birth from preventable complications such as haemorrhage, hypertension, sepsis and obstructed labour. For many who survive, the consequences can be lifelong. Obstetric fistula, a severe injury caused mainly by prolonged obstructed labour, leads to continuous incontinence, chronic health problems and social stigma. Many women affected are isolated from their families and communities, unable to work and face deep psychological distress.Despite its devastating impact, fistula remains hidden and under-addressed. Women living with the condition often suffer in silence due to shame, limited access to specialized care and lack of awareness that treatment is possible.To respond to these pressing needs, WHO and IsDB are strengthening reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services, including training health workers, improving access to quality care and expanding specialized services.Two specialized obstetric fistula centres have been established, one at Rabia-e-Balkhi National Maternity Hospital in Kabul, the second at Mirwais Regional Hospital in Kandahar. The centres provide surgical repair alongside comprehensive care, including rehabilitation and support for social reintegration. The project is expected to directly benefit 300 fistula survivors and indirectly support around 300 000 women and girls of reproductive age.In parallel, more than 977 health workers have been trained to improve the quality of maternal and newborn care, helping prevent complications and ensure timely treatment. “No woman should be left without care during pregnancy and childbirth, and every newborn deserves the best possible start in life,” said WHO Representative in Afghanistan Dr Edwin Ceniza Salvador. “With the valued support of IsDB, WHO is expanding access to essential services while ensuring that women affected by childbirth complications receive the care, dignity and support they deserve.”Through strong partnerships with national health authorities and the continued support of IsDB, this initiative is saving lives and helping women across Afghanistan regain their health and dignity. For more information, please contact:Mariam Amiry
RCCE Officer, WHO Afghanistan (Kabul)
Mob.: +93 784100496
E-mail: amirym@who.int

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Press Release

16 February 2026

New funding pledged for jobs, livelihoods, and basic service delivery in communities across Afghanistan

The Afghanistan Community Resilience and Livelihoods Project (CRLP) was approved for $143 million grant consisting of $95 million approved by the World Bank Board of Directors while the additional $48 million was approved by the Afghanistan Resilience Trust Fund (ARTF) Steering Committee. Since April 2022, CRLP has created nearly 32 million days of paid work, supporting over 1.3 million vulnerable families, including direct employment for 80,000 women. Communities have rehabilitated or constructed more than 11,000 local assets, stimulating local economies and improving access to health care, education, markets and services for nearly 15.2 million people nationwide.Afghanistan continues to face severe economic pressure following reduced humanitarian and development aid, compounded by climate shocks and the return of around 2.1 million Afghans from Pakistan and Iran in the first seven months of 2025 alone.“CRLP has demonstrated that even in a restrictive and complex environment, it is possible to deliver at scale by working through communities.” - Katy Webley, UNOPS Country Director in Afghanistan“By strengthening local capacity for inclusive aid delivery and sustainability of project interventions, the project has ensured that the most vulnerable people, and women in particular, benefit from all project activities,” she added.CRLP builds on and strengthens the capacity of community institutions to carry out activities related to project planning, implementation, monitoring and facilitating women and vulnerable groups to play an active role in decision-making, thereby ensuring they gain access to services, including health, nutrition, and jobs and livelihoods opportunities. For households unable to participate in cash-for-work activities, CRLP will expand the provision of social grants, ensuring continued support for the most vulnerable. Building on assistance already provided to 182,500 households—57 per cent of them headed by women—the project will further strengthen social protection as communities navigate ongoing economic pressures and displacement.“CRLP delivers multiple benefits for the communities we serve. Beyond direct assistance, the project is increasingly focused on stimulating local economies and strengthening resilience,” said Joyce Dalgliesh, Programme Director for CRLP.
“By prioritizing local procurement and engaging Afghan private sector construction companies, CRLP will continue to generate ripple effects for small businesses and local suppliers.”The project will also scale up support for women’s home-based livelihoods, including poultry farming and kitchen gardening, building on training and start-up support already provided to 18,000 women to further improve food security and household incomes within existing social constraints.At the community level, expanded investments will continue to improve everyday life—from rehabilitated water reservoirs and channels that irrigate farmland to rehabilitated roads connecting remote villages to clinics and markets, while flood protection works will further strengthen communities’ ability to withstand seasonal risks.With this latest financing of $143 million, total funding for CRLP now stands at US$562 million, supporting activities in all 34 provinces and enabling the project to reach millions more Afghans with jobs, essential services and pathways toward resilience.

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Press Release

12 February 2026

FAO, UNICEF and France join forces to strengthen food security and nutrition for earthquake-affected families in eastern Afghanistan

Kabul, Afghanistan – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Government of France are supporting earthquake-affected communities in eastern Afghanistan to restore food security, improve nutrition and protect livelihoods. The EUR 2 million initiative is supported by France under the French Initiative for Food Security and Nutrition (FIFSAN) and focuses on strengthening household food production, improving access to nutritious diets and essential services and reducing malnutrition, particularly among women and children.The project will reach 51 870 people in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, where families are still reeling from the August 2025 earthquake amid worsening acute food insecurity and malnutrition. Many households are rebuilding in communities that have seen recent displacement and forced returns, adding strain to already limited land, food and basic services. Implementation will focus on Chawaki and Nurgal districts of Kunar province and Dara-e-Nur district of Nangarhar province, where damage to productive assets has directly undermined families’ ability to feed themselves. At the wider community level, the reach is expected to extend indirectly to approximately 190 000 additional people, as food production, nutrition and essential services are strengthened across districts.The devastating 6.0-magnitude earthquake caused widespread damage to homes, cropland, food stocks, livestock assets, and critical health, nutrition and WASH infrastructure, compounding an already severe humanitarian situation. In rural areas of eastern Afghanistan, where families depend heavily on farming and livestock for both food and income, the damages and losses incurred have had lasting consequences.“Almost a year after the Nutrition for Growth summit held in Paris in March 2025, eradicating malnutrition in all its forms remains a priority for the French authorities. Through this project, France, FAO and UNICEF show that we can collectively bring concrete solutions for the Afghan people, who are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, and especially women and children” said Salina Grenet-Catalano, Director of Global Affairs at the French Ministry for Europe and foreign affairs. “Food security and nutrition are not only humanitarian and development concerns. They are foundations for peace, social stability and collective security, shared by all.”Through integrated, gender-sensitive and community-based interventions, FAO and UNICEF will work to address both the immediate needs of the affected population and the long-lasting impact of the earthquake on food security and nutrition. The main objective of the project is consequently to reduce malnutrition among women, adolescent girls and children under five, while protecting livelihoods and strengthening local food systems, with a strong focus on women-headed households, pregnant and lactating women and families with young children. Using FAO’s Cash+ approach, the project combines unconditional cash transfers with livestock protection packages, backyard vegetable production, poultry support, technical training and tailored nutrition education. By promoting agroecological practices and safeguarding productive assets, the project aims to prevent negative coping strategies such as distress sales of livestock and essential resources.“When the earthquake struck, many families lost more than their homes. They lost the means to feed themselves,” said Richard Trenchard, FAO Representative in Afghanistan. “For rural communities, recovery often comes down to whether they can keep the few animals they have alive, plant again and get through the winter without giving up what little they have left. For women and young children, that can mean the difference between having enough to eat or going without. Targeted support like this, made possible through France’s commitment to food security and nutrition, gives families the space to recover with dignity rather than being pushed into choices that are difficult to undo.”UNICEF’s complementary interventions will strengthen community-based solutions to improve access to nutritious first foods and prevent child food poverty and malnutrition. The programme will support caregivers through counselling on optimal infant and young child feeding practices, empower youth through skills-development initiatives that generate innovative, locally led first foods solutions, and promote safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services to ensure the safe preparation of complementary foods at household level. Where prevention is not sufficient, the programme will also ensure timely treatment for children suffering from life-threatening forms of wasting, helping to protect child survival while building longer-term resilience. “Far too many children in Afghanistan are being driven into malnutrition, and nearly 80 per cent of those affected are under the age of two, a critical window for survival and healthy development,” said Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan. “After the earthquakes and repeated shocks that have disrupted households, markets and access to food, the need for nutritious first foods, alongside services to prevent and treat malnutrition, has never been greater. Thanks to the support from France, UNICEF and FAO, with local partners, will strengthen multiple systems to protect young children and mothers from malnutrition and build resilience to future crises.”This joint initiative is part of a broader effort to address the underlying drivers of malnutrition in Afghanistan through agriculture, nutrition, health and water systems. Such coordinated support helps families meet immediate needs while maintaining the foundations for recovery. In a context where gains in food security and nutrition are fragile, targeted investments like this offer a cost-effective way to protect progress and prevent reversals.ContactsFAO Representation in Afghanistan
Giulia Ramadan El Sayed
Communications Sepcialist
giulia.ramadanelsayed@fao.org
UNICEF in AfghanistanDaniel Timme
Chief of Communication
dtimme@unicef.org Directorate for Global AffairsMinistry for Europe and foreign affairs of France secretariat.dgm-dag@diplomatie.gouv.fr

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Press Release

29 January 2026

FAO and Asian Development Bank advance $100 million initiative to boost food security and resilience in Afghanistan

Rome/Kabul – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are implementing a $100 million initiative to bolster food and nutrition security and restore agricultural livelihoods for more than one million vulnerable people across Afghanistan.Over the next two years, the project will support more than 151 000 households (or 1 057 000 people), including returnees from Pakistan and Iran, host communities and families affected by recent earthquakes and floods. The initiative will help rural households restore livelihoods, protect livestock, and rebuild disrupted agricultural production systems.Addressing multiple, compounding crisesAgriculture remains the backbone of Afghanistan’s rural economy, yet it continues to struggle with low productivity, limited access to inputs and restricted market opportunities. Repeated natural disasters have destroyed crops, livestock assets and irrigation infrastructure, while large-scale return movements from neighboring countries have placed additional pressure on already vulnerable host communities.Large-scale life-saving agricultural support and food assistance delivered at the height of the food crisis helped curb acute food insecurity nationwide. However, conditions have since deteriorated again. In 2026, 17.4 million people are projected to face acute food insecurity, including 4.7 million in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency), characterized by wide food consumption gaps and high acute malnutrition. Persistent drought conditions, combined with anticipated La Niña impacts bringing below-average rainfall and above-average temperatures into early 2026, are further heightening risks. With millions of Afghans already facing mounting pressures and at risk of slipping into deeper acute food insecurity and malnutrition, there is an urgent need for sustained investment that goes beyond emergency response to strengthen long-term resilience. This initiative prioritizes climate-smart and people-centered interventions to boost agricultural production, improve food and nutrition security and diversify rural livelihoods. Special attention will be given to the most vulnerable communities, particularly women-headed households and communities in provinces most affected by climate and economic shocks.Fostering sustainable growth in AfghanistanThe project marks another milestone in the strong partnership between FAO and ADB in Afghanistan. Since 2022, ADB has provided approximately USD 265 million in grants through FAO to strengthen agricultural production and curb acute food insecurity across the country.Through this collaboration, FAO has reached an estimated 5. 6 million vulnerable people, supporting more than 841 000 households in restoring crop and livestock production, improving food security and nutrition and stabilizing food supply chains during a period of severe humanitarian crisis.FAO assistance packages have demonstrated strong cost-effectiveness and lasting impact. For around USD 200, a wheat cultivation package can feed a family of seven for an entire year, meeting 70 percent of daily energy needs. Farmers using FAO-certified seeds achieved 27 percent higher yields, with each household producing an extra 360 kg of wheat – enough to feed two additional people annually. These packages also generate sufficient quality seed for three to four subsequent seasons, ensuring lasting gains. Livestock support has increased herd ownership by 50 percent and improved household nutrition through increased milk and meat consumption. “Our partnership with ADB is delivering real, measurable results for farming families across Afghanistan,” said QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General. “From the outset, this collaboration has focused not only on meeting immediate food security needs but also on closing Afghanistan’s food production gap and creating space for private sector recovery. With ADB, we have enabled millions of rural households to access the tools and resources they need to grow food, protect their animals and ensure their families have enough nutritious food. This project deepens our shared commitment by expanding support beyond emergency needs toward more diversified, agriculture-based livelihoods, strengthening crop and livestock production, post-harvest activities and market opportunities, with a particular focus on women who play a central role across Afghanistan’s farming and livestock sectors,” he added. By bridging immediate food security support with longer-term resilience-building, the initiative aims to ensure that families not only recover, but are better equipped to withstand future shocks in a highly vulnerable context. Read more about FAO’s contribution to the agricultural sector in Afghanistan.Photos and videos available for broadcasters. ContactGiulia Ramadan El SayedCommunications SpecialistFAO in Afghanistangiulia.ramadanelsayed@fao.orgFAO Representation in AfghanistanFAO-AF@fao.org FAO News and Media(+39) 06 570 53625FAO-Newsroom@fao.org

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