Aid to Afghanistan Has Plummeted Since 2021 While Humanitarian Needs Soar

The number of Afghans requiring humanitarian assistance has increased by more than 45% in the two years since the Taliban assumed leadership in Afghanistan as de-facto authorities, with crisis-levels of hunger affecting over one third of the population. Throughout this period, decreasing donor funding has left the required $3.26 billion for the humanitarian funding appeal 77% unmet, while extreme economic hardship prevails.

Dayne Curry, Mercy Corps Country Director for Afghanistan, says: 

“Two years have seen the economic situation in Afghanistan deteriorate to crisis levels. An inconceivable number of Afghans suffer from acute hunger and higher levels of poverty than ever before. In the communities we support in Kandahar, Herat, and Balkh Provinces, families struggle to put food on the table and meet other basic household needs. Increased climate shocks, such as drought and unseasonal floods, hamper local food production, limit access to clean sources of drinking water, and force thousands of families to leave their homes in search of adequate living conditions. Despite the best efforts of humanitarians to meet immediate needs and avert a worsening crisis, tens of millions of Afghans face hardship.” 

“Worsening the already catastrophic economic situation are the limitations facing women and girls in pursuing work and educational opportunities. This has already led to a sharp decline in household income and will only continue to increase the vulnerability of Afghan families moving forward. Women and children make up more than 80% of those requiring humanitarian aid.”

“Mercy Corps continues to provide food, clean water, and income generation opportunities to tens of thousands of Afghan families. However, much more must be done. Without a dedicated commitment to scale up funding to match the need, humanitarian efforts will fall short.”

“The commitment made by the international community to never abandon the Afghan people demands a revaluation of sanctions regimes that only serve to make life harder for Afghan families, impede humanitarian efforts, and exacerbate a deteriorating humanitarian crisis.” 

Since 1986, Mercy Corps has been working to improve the quality of life for Afghans and support conflict-affected communities. The organization is currently working to ensure Afghans have access to life-sustaining income, clean water and power, and can pursue productive livelihoods to feed their families.  We are also providing vocational training which in turn allows people to gain independence and be less reliant on humanitarian assistance.