KABUL, Afghanistan — The World Food Program (WFP) has reported that some Afghan families, driven by severe poverty exacerbated by prolonged droughts, are resorting to marrying off their young daughters to survive.
In a video shared on social media platform X, the WFP described the situation as a “heart-wrenching story” for many families in Afghanistan.
“I was forced to marry off my five-year-old daughter. We had nothing to feed our children. I borrowed 60 kilograms of wheat seed, hoping to start over, but my crop failed due to the drought. I have nothing left to feed my family. I don’t know what to do. I have nothing to do but put my trust in God,” said Alauddin, an Afghan father featured in the WFP’s video.
The WFP cited persistent droughts and the broader climate crisis as significant factors worsening the economic situation in Afghanistan, leaving families with few alternatives and compelling them to take desperate actions.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) previously noted in a report that Afghanistan has received $6.7 billion in aid over the past three years. Despite this influx, the economic crisis shows no sign of improvement, and hardship remains widespread.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies echoed these concerns in its latest report, stating that 23.7 million Afghans urgently need humanitarian assistance this year. The report detailed how the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has intensified, driven by a combination of natural disasters, climate change, internal displacement, economic difficulties, food insecurity, and an overstretched healthcare system.
