Asia and the Pacific: Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (17 - 30 March 2026)

AFGHANISTAN
Since 26 March, heavy rainfall and flash floods have been reported across multiple provinces in all regions of Afghanistan, including central, central highland, eastern, northern, northeastern, southern, southeastern and western regions, causing widespread damage to homes, infrastructure and agricultural land. According to preliminary reports from field teams, the flooding resulted in 25 deaths and 8 injuries, with 103 houses destroyed and more than 517 partially damaged, affecting over 1,260 families.

Humanitarian partners are providing emergency assistance such as food, non-food items, hygiene kits, cash support, dignity kits, and emergency shelters. To date, 205 households have received some form of assistance. Joint Needs Assessments and inter-agency coordination are ongoing to determine the full extent of the impact and guide further response efforts.

MYANMAR
Hostilities across northwestern Myanmar continue to drive humanitarian needs, with clashes and airstrikes causing civilian harm, displacement and damage to civilian infrastructure. In Sagaing Region, a series of airstrikes between 20 and 22 March reportedly killed more than 20 civilians, including displaced people. In Katha Township, a monastery sheltering displaced families was hit by an airstrike, reportedly killing dozens of displaced civilians and injuring many more, including monks. Airstrikes in Ayadaw Township on 22 March reportedly killed five civilians and injured three people. In Kani Township, a monastery and a school were struck on 21 March, reportedly killing three civilians. In neighbouring Magway Region, airstrikes and shelling on 16 and 17 March reportedly killed two civilians and destroyed homes in Aung Lan and Gangaw townships. Movement restrictions and ongoing insecurity continue to limit mobility and access, including in Katha Township where (at the time of reporting) thousands of civilians are reportedly unable to leave affected areas.

IMPACTS OF ENERGY CRISIS
Humanitarian operations and communities in Asia Pacific are particularly exposed to the impacts of the global energy crisis. Governments in the region are responding with mitigation measures, including in the Philippines where a national state of emergency has been declared. Asia is the main destination of crude oil and LNG passing through the Strait of Hormuz and up to one third of the global trade in raw materials for fertilizers passes the strait. Severely disrupted shipments of ammonia and nitrogen supply gaps are threatening food production systems dependent on fertilizer imports. Maritime uncertainty and airspace restrictions are affecting commercial and humanitarian logistics, creating new challenges to respond to the needs of affected people in crises, such as in Afghanistan. The reliance on LNG for energy in a number of areas is of critical concern, including in Bangladesh and the Rohingya refugee camps.
Countries struggling with high inflation are especially vulnerable, as price shocks further strain household budgets. Remittances from migrant workers in the Middle East are important to the GDP of several countries, including Nepal and the Philippines. If the crisis continues until mid-2026 and prices remain above US$100 a barrel, WFP estimates that almost 45 million more people could fall into acute food insecurity or worse (IPC3+).