Afghanistan Faces severe hunger amid global food crisis, says report

A global report warns that Afghanistan suffers severe food insecurity, with 15.8 million people facing critical hunger in 2024.

The Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) has released its 2024 report, naming Afghanistan among nine countries where over one million people face acute or emergency hunger. According to the report, 3.6 million Afghans are currently suffering from severe food insecurity.

Worldwide, the report highlights that 295.3 million people across 53 countries endure high levels of acute food insecurity, marking an increase of 13.7 million people compared to last year. This marks the sixth consecutive year of a global food crisis.

Sudan tops the list with 8.5 million people experiencing emergency-level food insecurity, which has escalated into famine conditions in parts of the country. Meanwhile, ongoing conflicts and food blockades in Gaza have sharply increased the risk of famine there.

Despite improvements in Afghanistan due to a good agricultural harvest, reduced inflation, and continued humanitarian aid, the number of food-insecure individuals remains critically high. The report notes a reduction of 4.1 million people affected compared to last year, but still 15.8 million Afghans face crisis-level food insecurity.

The main drivers behind worsening food insecurity worldwide include armed conflicts, economic shocks, and climate change impacts. In Nigeria, severe food insecurity has surged by 6.9 million people to reach 31.8 million, while Myanmar’s vulnerable population increased by 3.7 million due to intensified conflict and natural disasters.

The persistent global food crisis underscores the urgent need for coordinated international humanitarian efforts and sustainable solutions addressing conflict resolution, economic stabilization, and climate adaptation. Without these, millions remain at risk of hunger and famine.

Afghanistan’s case highlights both progress and ongoing vulnerabilities. Despite some improvements, fragile security and economic instability continue to threaten food security, emphasizing the critical importance of sustained international support and peace-building initiatives to prevent further deterioration.

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