The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced that nearly 23 million people in Afghanistan will require humanitarian assistance by 2025.

Why it matters:

A shrinking protection space, a fragile economy, insufficient access to basic services, natural hazards, climate-induced shocks, and regional political dynamics continue to undermine Afghans' ability to recover from 40 years of conflict. In 2025, almost half of the population—some 22.9 million people—will require humanitarian assistance to survive.

What they are saying:

  • OCHA reported that in 2025, approximately 22.9 million people in Afghanistan will require humanitarian aid.
  • The report states that 39 percent of families face water shortages due to the drying up of resources, and 23 percent of the Afghan population continues to use unsafe water sources, which poses a severe risk.
  • The report also added that 28 percent of the people in Afghanistan are in poor public health conditions, leading to an increase in the prevalence of diseases.

Key points:

  • According to OCHA's assessments, managing this crisis requires $264 million to provide water, sanitation, and hygiene services in Afghanistan.
  • The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator recently announced that $2.42 billion is needed to assist 16.8 million Afghans.
  • Previously, the World Food Programme had warned that millions of families in Afghanistan would face food shortages during the winter season.

Go deeper: