KABUL, Afghanistan — The World Food Program (WFP) has warned that a harsh winter is exacerbating the already dire living conditions for millions of families in Afghanistan, leaving many facing impossible choices.
“Millions of families are confronting winter without enough food,” the WFP said in a statement on X on Monday. “Most are forced to make impossible decisions—whether to feed their children or keep them warm.”
The warning comes as several provinces in northeastern and western Afghanistan experienced heavy snowfall over the past 24 hours, further worsening conditions for vulnerable communities.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) previously reported that 23.7 million people in Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance, including 9.2 million children.
In a report issued in late November, OCHA identified the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights as a significant obstacle to improving the country’s humanitarian situation.
Afghanistan remains one of 22 countries globally facing acute hunger crises, according to the WFP. The organization estimates that 12.4 million Afghans are experiencing “severe” food insecurity, with many unsure how they will secure their next meal.
The WFP has highlighted the severe coping mechanisms some families are resorting to amid worsening hunger and poverty. In a post shared on X in November, the organization reported that some families have been forced to marry off their young daughters as a means of survival.
A staggering three out of four Afghan households have incurred debt to secure enough food, according to WFP data for 2024. In rural areas, the situation is even more pronounced, with four out of five families reporting significant debt.
The average household debt for food in Afghanistan is estimated at 38,200 Afghanis (approximately $560), the WFP reported.
As Afghanistan battles a worsening economic and humanitarian crisis, aid agencies have called for urgent international assistance to address food insecurity and provide relief to millions of Afghans grappling with the harsh realities of winter.
