Afghanistan

27 percent of Afghans face food crisis, FAO reports

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported that 27 percent of Afghanistan’s population remains in a state of food crisis or emergency-level food insecurity.

In a statement posted on X, FAO Afghanistan emphasized that while food assistance is necessary, enhancing agriculture could significantly improve the country’s food self-sufficiency. “Food assistance is needed, but less so, showing that agriculture can improve food self-sufficiency through a locally-driven, climate-smart strategy,” the FAO noted.

The UN agency also mentioned that it has been providing wheat seeds in Afghanistan, supporting investments in agriculture to bolster food production.

This report comes amid a broader humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, with over 23 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.

The country’s economic sector has been severely affected since the collapse of the former government, exacerbating food insecurity and other challenges.