Afghanistan’s continued hunger and nutrition crisis is one of the most severe in the world. Shaped by social, economic, and climate stressors such as unemployment, limited access to food, and floods and drought, the crisis has left almost 23 million people – over half the population – in need of humanitarian assistance.

Acute malnutrition affects 3.7 million children nationwide (a 5 per cent increase on last year) and has reached emergency levels in Ghor, Daykundi, Helmand, and Badakhshan provinces, where global acute malnutrition stands at 12–23 per cent and severe acute malnutrition at 5–7 per cent. Recurrent earthquakes, floods, and droughts have further destroyed infrastructure, damaged water systems, and reduced agricultural output, leaving 14.8 million people in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or above in 2025.

Action Against Hunger has worked in Afghanistan since 1995 and now operates in six provinces – Kabul, Helmand, Ghor, Daykundi, Badakhshan, and Uruzgan (via a partner) – with staff delivering multisectoral humanitarian assistance. Rooted in strong partnerships with local organisations and our core focus is the treatment and prevention of malnutrition; primary healthcare; mental health and psycho-social support; WASH; FSL; and emergency response.

In 2025, Action Against Hunger supported communities through a range of programmes, with a focus on women and girls, including seven therapeutic feeding units providing inpatient care for severely malnourished children with complications. In partnership with local organisations, Action Against Hunger supported 54 health facilities, while our WASH interventions improved access to safe water and hygiene for some of the most vulnerable people.

Our integrated mental health and psycho-social support services included a national hotline, counselling, and family-friendly spaces across the country. To strengthen food security Action Against Hunger delivered agricultural inputs, poultry and livestock packages, greenhouses, and cash-for-work schemes, helping people regain their income, protect their assets, and build resilience in climate change affected areas.