AFGHANISTAN

In 2022, more than 26 million people – i.e., more than half of the population – need humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. Humanitarian needs are mainly caused by economic downturns in the country. The average monthly income has dropped by 15% since last year. The drop in revenue, the increase in debt and the increase in prices for basic products such as food and fuel have led households to spend less on essential services, such as education and healthcare.

Households in rural areas are especially affected by the deterioration of the economy and are more indebted than other areas.

20 million people live in food insecurity, and 6 million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity, which is the last phase before famine. Women and children are the first to suffer.

Afghanistan is also frequently hit by natural disasters, especially earthquakes, droughts and floods. Since 2020, water resources are increasingly limited due to lower-than-average rainfall. Drought has caused internal displacements of populations, reduced livelihoods and fuelled food insecurity. Floods regularly hit different parts of the country, especially the northern and eastern regions. In 2022 in Afghanistan, the frequency and intensity of natural disasters of all kinds have increased.

Communities affected by drought, households with people with a disability and households lead by women with children, especially girls, are more vulnerable to financial hardship.

Afghanistan’s public health system was supported by the World Bank until the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Following the political shift, international aid was cut off. Health authorities are now struggling to run health facilities. In 2021, the United Nations in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and NGOs have tried to reestablish access to health for everyone.