Islamabad – The World Food Program (WFP) recently convened its latest operational briefing in Kabul to address Afghanistan’s escalating food insecurity, a gathering involving senior UN officials, nutrition experts, and field coordinators. The meeting held at the UN’s compound with participation from key humanitarian partners including UNICEF, FAO, and UNHCR focused on assessing the spike in acute malnutrition, evaluating shrinking donor support, and coordinating an urgent aid response. Stakeholders reviewed data showing that nearly 15 million people, including 3.5 million children under five and 1.2 million pregnant or breastfeeding women, are now acutely malnourished, many denied treatment due to funding gaps and supply chain constraints. They underscored the severity of the situation, urging donors to fund life-saving operations ahead of the harsh winter months.

The WFP’s operational bulletin for Afghanistan confirms that 9.5 million people are now severely food insecure, and 4.6 million mothers and children are malnourished. The agency urgently needs US$650 million to sustain emergency food assistance through the end of 2025. This crisis is driven by deep cuts in international aid, especially following the April 2025 freeze in U.S. funding, which drastically reduced WFP’s ability to reach millions in need. Previously supporting nearly 10 million vulnerable women and children, WFP was forced to scale back emergency distributions were halted in May, leaving only 1 million people currently covered.

Climate shocks and returnee inflows have intensified the humanitarian strain. Reports show that Afghanistan continues to face it’s “sharpest-ever surge” in child malnutrition. Nearly one-quarter of the population, about 10 million people are now acutely food insecure, with environmental factors like droughts, flash floods, and deteriorating arable conditions severely impacting food production. Around 2.1 million Afghan returnees from Iran and Pakistan are further overwhelming limited local resources.

Implications for Pakistan

For Pakistan, this deepening crisis just across the border comes with both humanitarian and strategic implications. Border areas may face increased pressure as refugees and returnees flow amid insufficient food and shelter. The regional food supply chain could be disrupted, potentially affecting market stability and trade. Timely, coordinated humanitarian action coupled with cross-border collaboration can help mitigate spillovers and uphold resilience in both nations.