Attachments
MESSAGES KEY
• At the end of 2025, the majority (82%) of settlements in the country reportedly experienced drought, marking a sharp increase compared with the same period in 2024 (42%). This was particularly heightened in the South and Central Highlands.
• During winter most settlements (60%) reportedly relied on markets as their main source for obtaining food, followed by indoor-stored food from the previous harvest (38%). The main challenges they faced were increases in food prices (89%) and transportation costs (52%). A substantial share still experienced food losses due to lack of proper storage. This was particularly noticeable in Uruzgan (73%) and Logar (72%).
• Despite the recent border closure with Pakistan and the
low domestic production of food in 2025, only 1/3 (33%) of settlements in the country reportedly experienced major and sudden price increases, a similar figure to March of that year
(35%). These were mostly reported in North (55%) and North-eastern regions (46%) but were reported in almost every district nationwide.
• Malnutrition remains a concern, with key informants in 18%
of settlements reporting widespread signs among children
(severe thinness, emaciation, swollen stomachs, or discoloured hair). Conditions appeared particularly dire in the Western region (in 33% of settlements).
• Female employment remained low, with KIs in 34% of settlements having reported no women working. Where women were working, the main sectors were agriculture and livestock, and tailoring or embroidery.