KABUL, Afghanistan — Nearly half of Afghanistan’s population is living in poverty, according to a sitaution report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The report reveals that 12.4 million people in the country are experiencing food insecurity.
The report highlights that 48 percent of the Afghan population, approximately half of the country, is living below the poverty line.
Additionally, the report states that a total of 23.7 million people across Afghanistan are in need of humanitarian assistance.
OCHA indicates that the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has been exacerbated by the increasing number of returning refugees from Iran and Pakistan.
Environmental challenges, including rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, persistent droughts, and water shortages leading to widespread desertification, as well as flash floods, are also contributing to the worsening humanitarian crisis, according to the organization.
This report comes amid earlier statements from the organization highlighting a significant funding shortfall for U.N. humanitarian activities in Afghanistan.
OCHA warns that without sufficient and timely funding, the ongoing humanitarian crisis will deteriorate further.
