Post by : Saif Rahman

Afghanistan is grappling with a profound hunger crisis exacerbated by the onset of winter and dwindling international aid. Millions are battling for survival as freezing temperatures descend, compounding the struggles of families already battered by years of conflict.

Samiullah, 55, finds himself in a makeshift tent near Kabul, sharing minimal resources with his wife, five children, and three-month-old grandchild. Their daily intake consists merely of dry bread and tea. “We have reached a point where we are content with death,” he lamented. Samiullah's family, like countless Afghans, returned home after being expelled from neighboring nations like Iran and Pakistan, where they had sought refuge.

According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), an alarming 17 million people in Afghanistan are currently facing acute hunger. The situation is worsened by recent cuts to aid and a large influx of returnees, with over 2.5 million Afghans deported in the last year alone, amplifying the calls for urgent assistance.

Previously, these families contributed to their households through remittances received from work abroad. With this critical source of income vanishing, they now confront a stark reality of extreme poverty. Employment opportunities are dwindling, and winter's harshness limits work possibilities, while food prices soar. WFP's country director, John Aylieff, highlighted that the elimination of remittances has led to 3 million additional people grappling with acute hunger.

Aid organizations are struggling to cope with escalating demands as funding cuts have strained resources at organizations like WFP, leaving many families inadequately supported in food and healthcare. For children, the crisis is particularly dire; experts warn that severe malnutrition could affect an additional 200,000 children by 2026.

At aid distribution centers, the supplies of essentials like rice and cooking oil are often insufficient for the long lines of people in need. Zahra Ahmadi, a 50-year-old mother of eight, expressed, “Sometimes we eat, sometimes we don’t. I must manage the winter with these meager supplies.” Clinics are overwhelmed as families seek urgent medical assistance and nutritional support for their children. Dr. Rabia Rahimi Yadgari from the Qasaba Clinic in Kabul reported a doubling of patients following the return of migrants.

The crisis is intertwined with the economic collapse of Afghanistan post-Taliban takeover in 2021, leading to widespread job losses in government sectors. Laila, 30, described her family’s desperate situation: “Life never remains the same. My husband lost his job, and gradually, our economic situation collapsed.”

For families like Samiullah's, winter presents a formidable challenge. Firewood is hard to come by, and tents offer scant protection from the biting cold of the night. “My children say, ‘Father, I’m cold, I’m freezing.’ I hold them and say, ‘It’s OK.’ What choice do we have?” Samiullah recounted.

This humanitarian turmoil signifies that Afghanistan's struggles extend far beyond politics. Even as the world's focus shifts, families remain entrenched in severe poverty and starvation. Without a surge in aid and strategic long-term economic initiatives, millions will continue to endure hardship, with children being the most vulnerable.

The international community must respond swiftly to avert further tragedies. Immediate provisions of food, healthcare, and economic aid are imperative. In Afghanistan, winter becomes more than a season; it embodies a test of humanity, survival, and global accountability.

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