KABUL, Afghanistan — The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that one in three Afghans will face extreme humanitarian hardship by the end of this month, as funding shortages severely limit aid efforts across the country.
The budget shortfall has already forced the closure of more than 200 health centers, depriving 1.8 million people of essential medical services, OCHA said in a statement. The U.N. has described Afghanistan’s situation as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, exacerbated by economic collapse and Taliban-imposed restrictions.
The U.N. report warns that food insecurity is worsening, with projections indicating that one-third of Afghanistan’s population will experience severe food shortages by the end of March.
It also indicates that 3.5 million children under five and over one million pregnant and breastfeeding women are at risk of acute malnutrition.
“Funding cuts have significantly hampered humanitarian efforts. Over the past month, more than 200 health centers have shut down, leaving 1.8 million people without access to essential care. Nutrition services for children have also been affected,” U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reiterated the gravity of the crisis, said.
For many Afghans, the situation has become increasingly desperate.
Rahman, a resident of Badghis Province, said his eight-member family depends entirely on humanitarian aid. However, with the closure of aid organizations, survival has become even more difficult.
“We have no food. You can come and see our house for yourself,” he told Amu TV. “I worked as a laborer at the Turkmenistan border, but I injured my hands and now I’m jobless. We lack everything a family needs to survive.”
Another resident, Kamaluddin from Badghis, described the harsh winter conditions, saying:
“We have no water, no food, no medicine. We have no fuel—nothing. We collect plastic to burn for warmth. If you find more than a single bowl of flour in my home, you can set me on fire.”
The U.N. Secretary-General’s latest report on Afghanistan describes the country’s economy as fragile, with Taliban restrictions on women and economic activity further worsening living conditions. The report notes that Taliban-imposed bans on female employment in NGOs and limitations on humanitarian operations have made it harder to deliver aid to those in need.
The U.N. also warned that Taliban policies are pushing Afghanistan toward international isolation, which could further deter donors.
As of January 2025, the U.N. had received just $85 million—only 3.5% of the $2.42 billion needed to assist 17 million Afghans with humanitarian aid.
