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Afghanistan’s 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan Released
Key Updates and Implications for Humanitarian Action
Issued: December 2025
People in need: 21.9 million
People targeted: 17.5 million
Requirements: US$ 1.71 billion
Afghanistan continues to face one of the world’s most complex and protracted humanitarian crises. The Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) 2026, developed under the Humanitarian Programme Cycle, outlines the scale, severity, and drivers of humanitarian needs across the country and sets out a coordinated response to save lives and protect the most vulnerable.
Humanitarian Needs at a Glance
In 2026, an estimated 21.9 million people—nearly half of Afghanistan’s population—will require humanitarian assistance. Of these, 17.5 million people are targeted for life-saving support, requiring US$1.71 billion in
 humanitarian funding.
While the overall number of people in need shows a modest decrease compared to 2025, this does not reflect an improvement in living conditions. Rather, it reflects a more targeted, shock-based planning approach. Underlying vulnerabilities—particularly food insecurity, poverty, displacement, and protection risks—remain severe and widespread.
Key sectors with the highest needs include:
- Food Security and Agriculture
- Nutrition
- Health
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
- Protection
- Emergency Shelter and Non-Food Items
No province in Afghanistan is free from humanitarian need, underscoring the nationwide nature of the crisis.
Key Drivers of the Crisis
Food Insecurity and Malnutrition
Food insecurity remains one of the most critical challenges. During the 2025–2026 lean season, 17.4 million people are projected to face crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity, driven by prolonged drought, crop failures, livestock losses, and economic hardship. At the same time, 3.7 million children under five and 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2026.
Climate Shocks and Natural Disasters
Afghanistan is entering its sixth consecutive year of drought, compounded by groundwater depletion, floods, earthquakes, and other natural hazards. Climate-related shocks continue to undermine livelihoods, food production, and access to safe water—particularly in rural and drought-affected areas.
Large-Scale Returns and Displacement
Afghanistan is facing one of the largest returnee crises globally. Over 5 million Afghans have returned from neighboring countries in the past two years, including 2.61 million in 2025 alone. Many return involuntarily and arrive without assets, documentation, or support networks, placing immense pressure on already fragile communities, services, and labour markets.
Protection Crisis and Gendered Impacts
Afghanistan remains fundamentally a protection crisis, with women and children bearing the greatest burden. Continued restrictions on women’s movement, education, and employment have significantly reduced access to services and livelihoods. Women and girls account for more than 10.7 million people in need, and female-headed households consistently report higher levels of food insecurity, unmet basic needs, and protection risks.
Gender-based violence, child labour, and early marriage are increasingly reported as negative coping mechanisms, particularly in areas affected by displacement, poverty, and climate shocks.
Strategic Humanitarian Response for 2026
The HNRP 2026 prioritizes life-saving, principled, and needs-based humanitarian action, focusing on people facing the most severe and immediate risks. The response emphasizes:
- Severity-based targeting to reach those in inter-sector severity levels 3 and 4
- Gender-responsive and inclusive programming, ensuring safe access for women, girls, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups
- Cash and voucher assistance, where markets are functioning, to allow families flexibility in meeting their most urgent needs
- Protection mainstreaming, accountability to affected populations, and community engagement
- Coordination with Basic Human Needs and development actors to strengthen sustainability, particularly in high-return and climate-affected areas
National NGOs and women-led organizations play a critical role in delivering assistance, especially in hard-to-reach areas and in supporting women and girls.
Looking Ahead
Humanitarian needs in Afghanistan remain structural rather than temporary. While humanitarian assistance is essential to save lives and alleviate immediate suffering, sustained investment in basic services, livelihoods, protection, and climate resilience is critical to prevent further deterioration.
The HNRP 2026 calls on donors, partners, and stakeholders to maintain principled engagement and adequate funding to ensure that millions of Afghans—particularly women, children, returnees, and rural communities—are not left without life-saving support.
Continued solidarity and coordinated action are vital to responding effectively to Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis in 2026.
To view the plan: