In a statement on Tuesday, December 24, the WFP highlighted severe budget shortages, which prevent it from providing food aid to millions of others during the harsh winter.
The organization stated, “Winter in Afghanistan is brutal, and we are facing a funding shortfall,” underlining the challenges in meeting the urgent needs of vulnerable populations.
Previously, the WFP reported that 14.8 million Afghans would require immediate assistance to survive the winter. This highlights the scale of the humanitarian crisis gripping the country.
Afghanistan’s people are growing poorer under Taliban rule, with around 15 million citizens uncertain about where their next meal will come from, adding to their daily struggles.
Meanwhile, Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan face increasing hardships. Many have been forcibly deported amid the harsh winter, leaving them vulnerable to cold, hunger, and insecurity.
Afghans returning to their homeland often face persecution, lack of security, and the same dire conditions they fled from. The ongoing conflict and political instability exacerbate their struggles.
The lack of employment opportunities, inadequate shelter, and insufficient heating during the winter have left countless families in Afghanistan without the means to survive the freezing conditions.
As millions of Afghans endure a brutal winter with little support, the international community must urgently step in to address their plight. Refugees and internally displaced persons remain particularly vulnerable to the combined challenges of hunger, cold, and insecurity.
Without immediate intervention, the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, coupled with the struggles of Afghan refugees in neighboring countries, risks escalating into an even greater catastrophe. Sustainable solutions, including food aid, job creation, and improved shelter, are critical to mitigating the suffering of millions.
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