Malnutrition cases have doubled in the past three months across several surveyed areas in Afghanistan, as the war-torn country grapples with a compounding humanitarian crisis driven by mass migrant returns, rising food prices, climate shocks, and a sharp decline in aid coverage, according to an assessment supported by the United Nations.

Scale of the Crisis

The assessment — conducted by REACH with UN support between 10 May and 7 June across 401 districts and drawing on information from 12,854 key informants — found that 21.9 million people, nearly 45 per cent of Afghanistan's population, currently require humanitarian assistance. Food insecurity was reported as a serious or very serious problem in 65 per cent of surveyed areas, while 55 per cent reported significant food-price increases in the preceding month.

The provinces of Panjshir, Faryab, and Laghman recorded the sharpest spikes in reported malnutrition cases, at 89 per cent, 85 per cent, and 83 per cent, respectively.

Migrant Returns Adding Pressure on Vulnerable Communities

The return of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan is placing further strain on already fragile communities. Half of the surveyed areas reported receiving returnees from the two countries, while 57 per cent said those returnees had received no humanitarian assistance after arriving, according to Khaama Press, Afghanistan's leading English-language news agency.

A separate alert by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) noted that close to six million Afghans have been forcibly expelled from neighbouring countries since September 2023. John Aylieff, WFP Country Director for Afghanistan, briefing journalists in Geneva from Kabul, said the mass expulsions have increased the strain on Afghanistan's already fragile economy.

Healthcare Access and Economic Hardship

Barriers to healthcare remain severe: 77 per cent of surveyed areas reported shortages of medicines and medical equipment, while 59 per cent identified treatment costs as unaffordable. Economic hardship is also driving asset depletion — key informants from 87 per cent of areas reported a rise in households selling livestock due to insufficient income or food.

This comes amid a broader collapse in coping capacity. Rising food prices, economic contraction, and recurring climate shocks are collectively worsening food insecurity across the country.

Humanitarian Aid Gap Widening

Humanitarian assistance was reported in only 29 per cent of surveyed areas during the preceding three months — down from 37 per cent in March — highlighting a widening gap between needs and available support. Climate stress is compounding the picture: drought was identified as a displacement factor in 40 per cent of surveyed areas, while 15 per cent reported flood damage to homes.

With aid coverage shrinking and returnee numbers continuing to rise, humanitarian agencies warn that without urgent intervention, the situation across Afghanistan's most affected provinces could deteriorate sharply in the months ahead.