Afghanistan: Humanitarian Update, February 2025

HIGHLIGHTS

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Impact of US funding suspension on the humanitarian response in Afghanistan

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2024 Afghanistan humanitarian response overview

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Afghanistan hit by multiple natural disasters in February The impact of floods on Afghan communities: The story of Bibi Sargol

Impact of US funding suspension on the humanitarian response in Afghanistan

The US suspension of foreign assistance on 20 January 2025 is already having far-reaching consequences on humanitarian operations in Afghanistan. Prepositioning and stockpiling of supplies have been affected, slowing the response to natural disasters, including recent flooding, and limiting winterization efforts. As of late-February, 188 health facilities had closed impacting 1.6 million people; 1,700 female national health workers had lost their jobs; six mine action staff and 29 third-party contractors had been terminated, resulting in a loss of quality assurance, planning, accreditation; and data management for mine action operations; while US $3.4 million in multi-purpose cash assistance for more than 7,000 households was at risk, in addition to post-arrival and protection support for vulnerable returnees. Some 30 women-led organizations had also reduced life-saving services for women and girls, including cash and non-food item distribution and emergency protection. At the same time, according to the first round of results from the OCHA Global Survey conducted in mid-February, 68 per cent of partners in Afghanistan had already reduced their targets, 45 per cent had reduced their geographical coverage and 42 per cent had reduced their staff, with national NGOs being the most impacted.

US support has been instrumental in strengthening emergency responses during critical moments in Afghanistan, such as the devastating drought in 2018 and the political transition in 2021. These events triggered widespread and escalating humanitarian needs, with US aid playing a pivotal role in averting famine in 2021 and 2022 through robust support for food security and nutrition interventions.

Indeed, since 2013, the US has been the largest donor to Afghanistan’s humanitarian response, demonstrating unwavering commitment to meeting life-saving and life-sustaining needs across the country. In 2024, the US was the largest contributor to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), providing $735.7 million (47 per cent of the total funding received).

With US and other donors' funding, humanitarian responders in Afghanistan were able to reach 20.4 million people in 2024 with at least one form of humanitarian assistance. Among them, 3.4 million people received three different types of sectoral support, with women representing 29 per cent of the total number of people reached.[1] However, without US funding, fewer people will be targeted for assistance in 2025 under the HNRP. In some cases, the assistance and services provided may be the only ones received by individuals with the most critical needs. The suspension of US funding also is also expected to negatively affect and slow down the strategic shift from humanitarian response to one that focuses on addressing basic human needs. In such a circumstance, it is likely that the humanitarian portfolio will not only persist but increase in scope due to lack of sustainable interventions.

As in previous years, the US and other donor support is essential for the life-saving work that remains vital for millions of Afghans struggling to survive amid persistent humanitarian needs, the worsening effects of climate change, ongoing natural disasters and economic fragility. A concerted and coordinated global effort is urgently needed to alleviate suffering and ensure that essential aid continues to reach those most in need.

2024 Afghanistan humanitarian response overview

In 2024, humanitarian partners in Afghanistan reached 20.4 million people, including 6 million women and 5.1 million girls, with at least one form of assistance, including 3.4 million people who received three types of support. Food assistance remained the highest component of response reach, with 14.9 million people receiving emergency food rations in 2024, but many people will require multiple rounds of aid to meet their needs. The response was supported by new funding (US$1.59 billion, 52 per cent of requirements) and carryover funds from 2023 ($412.5 million).

The majority of assistance was delivered to provinces experiencing the most severe and multi-dimensional humanitarian needs. For instance, Badakhshan, Baghlan, Balkh, Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktika and Takhar received substantial humanitarian support due to widespread food insecurity, malnutrition, limited access to health care and WASH services, recurrent natural disasters, and high rates of displacement and returnees.

Afghanistan hit by multiple natural disasters in February

In February, heavy rains and snowfall impacted 16 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces – including Badakhshan, Baghlan, Bamyan, Daikundi, Farah, Helmand, Kandahar, Kapisa, Kunar, Laghman, Maidan Wardak, Nangarhar, Panjshir, Parwan, Uruzgan, and Zabul –leading to floods and avalanches that claimed 38 lives and injured 168 people. The disasters caused extensive damage to homes and civilian infrastructure, affecting more than 11,500 individuals (approximately 1,400 families). Critical infrastructure and agricultural land were destroyed, worsening an already fragile humanitarian situation. This struck at a time when communities were already grappling with economic hardship and the lingering effects of previous natural disasters.[2]

In response, OCHA and humanitarian partners reached over 11,500 people with emergency life-saving assistance, including food rations, emergency shelter (tents), non-food items, cash assistance and hygiene kits. However, limited resources and funding gaps hampered the response efforts. Afghanistan urgently needs long-term investment in disaster preparedness, climate adaptation, and resilient infrastructure. Sustained international support is also crucial to help affected communities rebuild and mitigate future risks.

Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to recurrent natural disasters and faces a wide range of hazards, including floods, heavy snowfall, avalanches, landslides, earthquakes and droughts. In 2024, all 34 provinces experienced at least one of these disasters. Among them, floods and flash floods have been the most devastating sudden-onset disasters in the past five years, affecting an annual average of 250,000 people, a number expected to persist in 2025.

The impact of floods on Afghan communities: The story of Bibi Sargol

The increasing frequency and intensity of floods in Afghanistan due to changing weather patterns pose a significant risk to communities, families, infrastructure, livelihoods and agricultural lands. As temperatures rise – in some parts of Afghanistan by as much as 2.5 degrees Celsius over the past 50 years – so too does the vulnerability of communities like Bibi Sargol’s, who bear the devastating consequences of climate change with little to no support.

Bibi Sargol, a 55-year-old woman from Kohistan district in Faryab Province, moved to Wazirabad Village in Maimana five years ago. She lives with her 65-year-old husband, two married sons, two daughters-in-law and eight grandchildren. Their life was built on resilience, but everything changed when the catastrophic effects of climate change struck.

After years of hard work, Bibi and her family built a small home on a modest plot of land in Maimana. But their hope for stability was shattered when a massive flood swept away their home, leaving them with nothing but memories.

On 23 November 2024, the day began like any other. Bibi was preparing breakfast while her sons left early to earn a living. But as dark clouds gathered and heavy rains poured, water from a nearby canal rushed into their yard.

Bibi recalls “I screamed, Flood! We are all going to die, help! But no one heard us. The floodwaters rushed into our living room. I grabbed my grandchildren and rushed to our neighbor’s house. From the wall, I watched as the flood destroyed our home – three rooms collapsed, burying everything under mud and debris.”

Bibi, once proud of her home and the life she had built, watched helplessly as it crumbled before her eyes – her memories, her hard work, reduced to mud and debris.

That night, the family huddled in their neighbor’s home, weeping over the loss of years of effort and sacrifice.

Days later, a relief team arrived, distributing essential supplies such as flour, oil, salt, blankets and tarpaulins. While these supplies provided temporary relief, they didn’t address the family’s greatest need – permanent shelter.

Today, Bibi and her family live in a makeshift tent, exposed to the harsh elements of winter. The temperatures continue to drop and they have nowhere to turn for warmth or protection.

“If you don’t help us build a shelter, we will be out in the open forever,” Bibi pleads.

Bibi Sargol’s story is just one among many. Across Afghanistan, climate-induced disasters are stripping families of their homes and livelihoods. As floods become more frequent and severe, the need for sustained support is more urgent than ever.

This crisis requires more than short-term relief – it demands long-term investments in climate resilience, infrastructure and disaster preparedness. Humanitarian organizations and donor agencies must act now to help Afghan families adapt to the new climate reality.

Providing emergency assistance is crucial, but it is not enough. Families like Bibi’s need safe housing, climate-resilient infrastructure and livelihood programmes to rebuild their lives. Investments in flood mitigation measures, early warning systems and sustainable land use are also essential to preventing future tragedies.

As the world grapples with the growing climate crisis, Afghanistan must not be forgotten. Now is the time to prioritize funding and action to ensure communities have the resources they need to survive and thrive in an increasingly unpredictable climate.

The resilience of Afghan families is undeniable, but resilience alone cannot rebuild homes or protect lives. The time to act is now.[3]

[1] Afghanistan: Impact of US Funding Suspension on the Humanitarian Response

[2] Afghanistan Natural Disasters Dashboard

[3] This article was produced with the support of OCHA Afghanistan colleagues at the sub-national level, Nova Ratnanto and Ahmad Jawed Musleh.