Attachments
Highlights
- In January, the restriction on the use of biometric authentication in seven districts in the Western Region by the provincial Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation Department resulted in WFP temporarily suspending distributions in the affected districts. Following engagements with the de facto authorities, WFP approved authentication through PIN code as an interim solution to allow resumption of winter assistance distribution.
- WFP’s cross border movements into Afghanistan continued facing disruptions, due to ad hoc customs restrictions and tax- related issues from the Pakistan side, impacting supply flows.
- UNHAS flights to Islamabad have been suspended since December 2024 due to unresolved aviation charges. WFP has been actively engaging with the Ministry of Aviation and the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority to reinstate flight clearances.
In Numbers
6.9 million people assisted in January
14.8 million people food-insecure (IPC Phase 3-4) from Nov 2024 to Mar 2025
22.9 million people require humanitarian assistance in 2025
US$19.9 million distributed to 6.9 million people through cash-based transfers
SITUATION UPDATE
- Food Security: WFP’s food assistance coverage has dropped from 23 million in 2022 to 12 million in 2024, while blanket supplementary feeding programmes (BSFP) support declined from 2.6 million to 1.4 million due to funding shortages. With resources stretched, WFP is reaching only six million people, less than half of those in need. Humanitarian food and agricultural assistance have so far prevented deeper hunger, but urgent support is required to sustain these gains and avert further deterioration.
- Malnutrition rate: 3.5 million children under five are expected to be malnourished this year, 500,000 more than last year - the sharpest surge in malnutrition ever recorded in Afghanistan. This increase comes on top of 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls projected to be acutely malnourished.
- The deterioration of the nutrition situation correlates with severe cuts of WFP’s general food assistance and the closure of nearly 350 mobile health teams and 450 clinics or health centres, leaving remote communities without critical support.
- This alarming situation highlights a severe public health emergency where urgent action to restore nutrition programmes and immunization campaigns, while long-term efforts must prioritize affordable diets for women, children and families.