KABUL, Afghanistan — With winter approaching, Save the Children has warned that communities affected by flooding and widespread food insecurity in Afghanistan are facing worsening conditions.
The aid organization said on social media platform X that it plans to support 18,000 households with health, nutrition, education, protection, and cash assistance for heating and other essentials.
However, Save the Children disclosed a significant shortfall in funding. “Our winterization plan faces a $4.2 million funding gap, while the Inter-Cluster Coordination Team (ICCT) estimates that $1 billion is needed across aid organizations to meet winterization needs nationwide,” the organization wrote.
The World Food Programme (WFP) echoed these concerns on Sunday, also taking to X to highlight the impact of climate change on Afghan communities. “From droughts to floods, the climate crisis is devastating for communities in Afghanistan,” the WFP stated, noting that it continues to provide food and nutritional support to those whose crops and livelihoods have been destroyed.
The situation in Afghanistan remains dire, with nearly 24 million people in need of humanitarian aid, according to United Nations estimates. Many Afghans have expressed frustration with the Taliban government for its failure to create job opportunities, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The U.N. has reported that many international donors have reduced funding to Afghanistan, citing the Taliban’s severe restrictions on women and girls, including bans on education. These cuts have added to the challenges faced by aid organizations trying to provide necessary support ahead of the harsh winter months.
