The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned on Tuesday that a widening funding gap is threatening humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, with only a fraction of the money needed for this year’s response plan secured so far.
According to OCHA, humanitarian agencies have received just $269 million of the $1.71 billion required for Afghanistan’s 2026 humanitarian response, leaving the appeal only 16 percent funded as of the end of May.
“The widening funding gap is threatening life-saving humanitarian support in Afghanistan,” OCHA said in a statement.
The agency warned that without immediate additional support, millions of people could be left without critical assistance.
The funding shortfall comes as Afghanistan continues to face one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises nearly five years after the Taliban’s return to power. Millions of Afghans remain dependent on aid amid widespread poverty, recurring climate shocks, displacement and limited economic opportunities.
Concerns about the funding gap have grown as humanitarian agencies report rising needs across the country.
A recent assessment by the US-based research organization Data for Afghanistan projected that more than 11 million people in Afghanistan will face crisis-level or worse food insecurity during 2026.
According to the report, between April and September, more than 11 million people are expected to experience food insecurity classified as IPC Phase 3 or higher — categories that include “crisis,” “emergency” and “catastrophe.”
The assessment identified Badakhshan, Balkh, Bamiyan, Daikundi, Faryab, Ghor, Jawzjan, Kunar and Sar-e-Pul as among the provinces most severely affected by food insecurity.
Jawzjan recorded the highest rate of severe food insecurity, with roughly half of the province’s vulnerable population projected to face crisis-level or worse conditions. Faryab, Daikundi and Ghor followed, with about 45 percent of vulnerable residents affected.
The report also highlighted declining purchasing power and limited employment opportunities, noting that many households continue to struggle to afford basic food items despite relative stability in some market prices.
Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that funding cuts could force reductions in food assistance, health care, nutrition services and other essential programs at a time when millions of Afghans remain reliant on aid for survival.
