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

24 May 2026

From Fear to Safety: A Community Protected from Floods in Herat

For families living in District 10 of Herat city, seasonal floods are a cyclical, recurring disaster. Each year, between February and March 2026, rising waters would sweep through the community, destroying fragile mud homes, washing away belongings, and forcing families to flee with little more than what they could carry. Recovery was slow, and just as households began to rebuild, the next flood would arrive, trapping them in a relentless cycle of loss and uncertainty.The constant fear of losing homes and livelihoods every rainy season weighed heavily on the community, particularly on women, children, and the elderly, who were the most vulnerable during floods and harsh weather conditions. Many of these vulnerable families live on the far side of the Robat Baba Khan canal, a major water channel that channels seasonal rainwater and flash floodwaters during the rainy season, where access to safety was limited, and evacuation during floods was both dangerous and chaotic. Essential services like clean water, education, and healthcare were frequently disrupted, deepening the vulnerability of an already marginalized community. Recognizing the urgent need for a long-term solution, the Community Resilience and Livelihoods Project (CRLP) supported the construction of a nearly one-kilometer flood protection wall. Designed and implemented with active community participation, the initiative brought together local residents, skilled workers, and community leaders to address one of their most pressing challenges. The construction process itself became a source of resilience. It generated over 1,000 labor days for women and approximately 16,000 labor days for men, providing much-needed income to households while fostering a sense of ownership among community members. Residents contributed not only their labor but also their voices, ensuring the project reflected their priorities and realities.Today, the impact is visible and deeply felt.The protection wall now stands as a strong barrier against destructive floodwaters, effectively diverting them into the main canal and away from homes and farmland. For the first time in years, families experienced a flood season without fear. Children continued going to school, small businesses remained open, and households were spared from the devastating losses that once defined their lives.Noor Ahmad, a community elder, reflects on the transformation:“Now, when it rains, we don’t panic. We feel safe. This wall has given us peace of mind and a chance to rebuild our lives.”Beyond physical protection, the project has strengthened social cohesion. The participatory approach, where community members were involved in decision-making and implementation, has built trust, reinforced collective responsibility, and enhanced the community’s ability to respond to future challenges.This story from Herat highlights a simple but powerful truth: when communities are engaged in shaping solutions to their own challenges, the results are not only effective, but they are also lasting. The Community Resilience and Livelihoods Project (CRLP) is implemented by UNOPS with support from the World Bank and the Afghanistan Resilience Trust Fund. Through its community-driven approach, CRLP supports vulnerable communities across Afghanistan by creating short-term jobs, improving access to basic services and climate-resilient infrastructure, strengthening livelihoods, and promoting women’s participation in community decision-making, while prioritizing poor and vulnerable groups, including female-headed households, returnees, and internally displaced people.

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07 May 2026

How WFP Is Helping Afghanistan Stand Strong Against Climate Shocks

But in villages where WFP’s resilience projects were in place, fields remained intact, homes stood firm and communities remained safe. A Country on the Climate FrontlinesAfghanistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing frequent droughts, floods, extreme heat, and growing threats to food security. It ranks sixth worldwide, highlighting both its exposure to climate hazards and its limited capacity to cope.Over the past decades, drought has weakened rainfed agriculture and left land inarable. At the same time, increasingly intense and unpredictable rainfall now triggers devastating floods. With little water storage capacity, storms quickly turn destructive—eroding farmland, killing livestock and forcing families from their homes.Through its development projects, WFP helps communities break this cycle and stop disasters before they start. These projects empower communities to plan their own future with villagers identifying risks and priorities for their communities. With WFP’s support, they build protection walls, safeguard irrigation canals, stabilize embankments and manage watersheds—turning vulnerability into resilience.WFP Protection Walls Safeguarding Communities Across Afghanistan In Zawol district, Herat, where past floods had already washed away 4 hectares of farmland, a 136-meter WFP supported protection wall now shields 24 hectares of land and 300 households downstream. When flash floods struck in mid-March 2026, the river surged—but crops survived, homes stayed dry, and planting continued. A similar outcome was seen in Pashtun Kot, Faryab, where an unprecedented flood in March 2026 threatened the main irrigation canal and a wheat mill serving 500 families. A 150-meter protection wall, built by WFP, safeguarded 1.7 kilometers of canal, surrounding farmland, and the mill, with post flood inspections confirming no damage and averting what could have become a food crisis.Further north, in Darzab district, Jawzjan, days of heavy rain pushed floodwaters two meters high, threatening nearby homes. A 200-meter WFP supported wall absorbed the impact, keeping houses intact and families safely in place. In Aybak district, Samangan, where repeated floods had been steadily eroding fertile fields, a 60-meter protection wall protected 70 hectares of agricultural land, reduced soil loss, and improved irrigation flow - allowing fields to remain productive.For residents of Sozmaqala district, Saripul, the protection was immediate: a newly constructed wall shielded 70 houses, leaving all homes intact and preventing displacement during recent floods. In Terezayi district, Khost, where years of flooding had already destroyed more than 60 hectares of farmland and threatened a vital road, a 230-meter protection wall now safeguards a main irrigation canal serving 230 hectares and the key road connecting three border districts to the provincial centre. Managing Water to Protect FuturesBeyond walls, WFP’s watershed management interventions — trenches, terraces, water catchment ponds and ditches — are reshaping how communities live with water. Intense rainfall is absorbed rather than released, helping to reduce flash floods. This process also recharges groundwater, cools local temperatures, restores rangelands, and supports biodiversity. In addition, wells and underground channels refill, sustaining water access throughout the year. What once triggered displacement now strengthens food security and nutrition.By protecting land, homes, irrigation systems, mills and roads, WFP’s resilience work reduces humanitarian response needs, lowers recovery costs and prevents communities from sliding back into repeated crises. Each protection wall built, each watershed restored, is an investment that pays for itself many times over—in food secured and lives stabilized.These achievements are made possible by the generous contributions and continued support of our partners, including the European Commission, Australia, Germany, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.Learn more about WFP’s work in Afghanistan: Afghanistan | World Food Programme (wfp.org)

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08 April 2026

A safe birth close to home in Kunar, Afghanistan

On a cold October morning, 26-year-old Bibi Yasmin prepared to give birth. She arrived at Sawkhwar Sub-Health Centre in Narai district, eastern Kunar province, where staff received her immediately, assessed her condition and guided her through each step with calm reassurance.In remote areas like this, where travelling even a short distance is difficult and access to hospitals limited, delays in accessing health care can become life-threatening. Without skilled care, mothers risk complications such as heavy bleeding, infection and prolonged labour, while newborns may struggle to breathe and miss critical early interventions.By mid-morning, Yasmin had safely delivered a healthy baby. The moment she heard her child cry, relief replaced fear. Both mother and baby were stable, and the newborn began life with a strong start. Care continued beyond delivery. Yasmin received essential medicines and her baby was given its first vaccines. Health workers provided guidance on breastfeeding, keeping her baby warm and postnatal care. These simple but vital actions can prevent complications and save lives, particularly in the first days after birth.Without access to this support, Yasmin could have faced recovery risks at home and her baby might have missed early protection against disease. In many remote communities such gaps in care can have lasting consequences for families.“The staff at the clinic treated me with care and helped me safely deliver my baby. I am very grateful. The support I received after delivery helped me and my baby stay healthy. I never imagined getting such quick and good care so close to home. The clinic is a true blessing for our village,” Yasmin said.Highlighting the importance of accessible maternal and newborn care, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Afghanistan Dr Edwin Ceniza said: “Ensuring that mothers and newborns have access to timely, quality care is essential to saving lives. WHO remains committed to supporting communities so that every mother and baby can receive the care they need, close to home.” For Yasmin, the availability of care brought peace of mind, a healthy beginning for her child and reassurance that help is within reach when it matters most.

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02 April 2026

One Call Can Save Lives: How Awaaz Connects Communities to Rapid Mine Action Response

Across Afghanistan, the legacy of conflict continues to shape daily life. Beneath farmland, along roads, and within communities, explosive remnants of war remain hidden, posing a constant and often invisible threat. As of early 2026, over 1,000 square kilometres of land remain contaminated, with many areas still unsurveyed.The human cost is significant. In 2025 alone, 471 casualties were recorded, many of them children and women. For families, danger often arises during routine activities, such as farming or collecting firewood.In Ghazni Province, a resident returning from displacement reported a suspected landmine in an area where a previous explosion had already claimed a child’s life. They called the Awaaz hotline, which immediately referred the alert to mine action partners who safely removed the hazard within one day, restoring a sense of safety for the community.A similar case in Kabul saw a scrap collector report a dangerous explosive remnant. With guidance from Awaaz and rapid coordination with partners, the item was cleared the following day, preventing a potentially serious incident. These are among thousands of cases handled through Awaaz Afghanistan, a nationwide UN accountability mechanism that connects communities directly with humanitarian actors. Through its toll-free hotline (410), people can safely report risks, seek assistance, and access reliable information. In 2025 alone, Awaaz handled more than 148,000 calls, including nearly 1,750 related to mine action.“Awaaz is more than a hotline, it is a lifeline,” said Katy Webley, UNOPS Country Director and Representative in Afghanistan. “By connecting communities directly with those who can respond, we are helping ensure that risks are identified early, responses are faster, and assistance remains accountable to the people it serves.”Led and managed by UNOPS on behalf of the UN system, Awaaz serves as a shared accountability platform for the entire system, connecting over 260 partners, including UN agencies with the support of key donors such as ECHO, the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund, the World Bank, UNDP, IOM, UN Women, and UNFPA.By turning community voices into action, Awaaz helps reduce risks, strengthen accountability, improve humanitarian response, and ultimately save lives and protect livelihoods across Afghanistan.

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01 April 2026

A Journey for a Better Life That Led Back to Hunger at Home

Saeed Azeez, 36, lives in Surkh Parsa, Parwan with his wife and four young children. Just a few months ago, he returned to Afghanistan from Iran, where he had lived without legal rights and worked as a daily wage laborer in a factory. His modest income was enough to feed the family, though never enough to save. Still, his family of six managed to eat a basic meal each day.Back in Afghanistan, Saeed found himself starting from nothing. He now shares a single room in his uncle’s house. Without work, his family survives on whatever his uncle can spare. Some days, their only meal is dry bread.During Ramadan, WFP met Saeed at a food distribution in Surkh Parsa, where he collected his first-ever WFP ration. Asked about what Ramadan felt like this year, his answer was stark: “We barely have any food to break our fast.” The day before, his family had broken their fast with nothing more than tomatoes and bread.Recalling happier times, Saeed smiled faintly as he remembered a Ramadan meal when a relative had invited his family over. That was the last time he enjoyed a hearty meal. His favorite dish is kebab, and he dreams of one day sharing it with his children. But the smile quickly faded as he spoke of his present reality—no home of his own, no work, no food and little hope for the future. “WFP’s food breathes life into us, especially during Ramadan,” he said. “During this period, we have no work and no food. With WFP’s assistance, we can at least prepare one substantive meal a day for the family.”Saeed also recalled WFP’s support when he crossed the border back into Afghanistan, which helped him reach his uncle’s home in Parwan and buy food for his children. “We are very thankful for agencies like WFP for helping us out when we really needed it,” he said.At his uncle’s house, we met Saeed’s wife and children. His wife explained that in Iran, she also had worked in a factory alongside him. Life was difficult, but at least they had food. Now, with Saeed injured in a recent accident and unable to do heavy labor, and with restrictions preventing women from working, the family has no income at all.When asked about Eid, their response was heavy with despair. They have no money for food, let alone new clothes or celebrations.Like all parents, Saeed and his wife dream of a better future for their children—one filled with education and opportunity, not the hardship they endure. Their five-year-old daughter, Tabassum, sang a song for us, her mother watching with eyes full of hope, her heart clinging to dreams for her child.As we said goodbye, the family expressed deep gratitude for the support they receive from the WFP. For them, each ration is not just food - it is survival, and a glimmer of hope.Supporting families like Saeed’s would not be possible without the generous contributions from our partners like Australia, Canada, the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), EU Humanitarian Aid, Greece, Germany, Japan, Liechtenstein, Private Sector, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Switzerland, the United Kingdom. Learn more about WFP’s work in Afghanistan: Afghanistan | World Food Programme (wfp.org)

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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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