The Afghanistan hunger crisis is deepening as harsh winter conditions and shrinking international aid push millions closer to starvation. Across camps on the outskirts of Kabul, families are struggling to survive on minimal food, with many saying daily life has become a fight for endurance rather than hope.
Inside a fragile tent lit by a single bulb, Samiullah, his wife Bibi Rehana, their children, and a newborn grandchild share dry bread and tea, often their only meal of the day. Recently deported from Iran, the family lost their home, income, and savings almost overnight. According to Samiullah, they were forced to leave with little warning, leaving behind money that could have sustained them through winter. “We have reached a point where we are content with death,” he said, adding that his only wish is for his children to have a better future.
The World Food Programme estimates that 17 million Afghans are currently facing acute hunger, a figure expected to rise by another 3 million as winter eliminates work opportunities. Mass deportations from Iran and Pakistan, totaling more than 2.5 million people, have further strained already limited resources. Aid agencies say the population surge and aid cuts have created a perfect storm.
Global funding shortages have made the situation worse. Cuts to humanitarian programs, particularly after changes in donor priorities, have reduced food supplies and medical support. The WFP warns that child malnutrition reached record levels last year, with an estimated 200,000 more children likely to suffer acute malnutrition in 2026.
At clinics in Kabul and Herat, doctors report a sharp rise in patients. Mothers wait anxiously as their children receive supplements that offer temporary relief but no long-term solution. Many families say they see brief improvements, only to watch their children lose weight again once the aid runs out.
As temperatures drop each night, families burn scrap wood for warmth. “When my children say they are freezing, I hold them and say it will be okay,” Samiullah said. “But here, there is no work, no livelihood, and very little hope.”
