Deepening Food Crisis in Afghanistan: Aid Cuts Leave Millions Struggling with Basic Needs

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The food crisis in Afghanistan has significantly deepened due to recent aid cuts, leaving millions of Afghans struggling to meet their basic needs. The humanitarian situation has been exacerbated by the reduction in international aid, which has been a critical lifeline for the country since the Taliban's takeover in August 2021. This reduction in aid has been driven by geopolitical tensions and sanctions against the Taliban, leading to a substantial impact on the population's access to food and other essential resources.
According to the World Food Program (WFP), the agency can currently only feed half of the millions of Afghans in need. This has forced many households to survive on minimal sustenance, with some families reportedly living on just bread and tea. The situation is particularly dire in rural areas, where recent flooding and the lingering impacts of drought have further restricted access to food and income.
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The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis indicates that nearly 23 million people in Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance, with a significant portion facing acute food insecurity. The ongoing economic instability and harsh winter conditions have compounded the crisis, making it even more challenging for vulnerable populations to cope.
The Taliban's deputy minister of economy, Abdul Latif Nazari, has downplayed concerns over potential U.S. aid cuts, suggesting that Afghanistan will manage its economic growth and development through domestic policies and resource development. However, critics argue that the internal economic capacity of Afghanistan is insufficient to manage the dire poverty without international support.
In summary, the reduction in international aid has severely impacted Afghanistan's food security, leaving millions of people in a state of acute need. The situation is expected to worsen during the lean season from February to May 2025, as household food stocks deplete and market access becomes more limited.