Food insecurity: 19.2 million Afghans at risk by April 2027, UN warns

The UN expects 19.2 million Afghans, more than a third of the population, to face acute food insecurity during the lean season from November to April 2027. Olga Cherevko, OCHA’s spokesperson in Afghanistan, said five million could face emergency levels of hunger, close to famine. Earthquakes, climate disasters and the return of millions of Afghans from Iran and Pakistan have worsened the crisis; more than four million children aged six months to five years may need treatment for acute malnutrition. About a third of nutrition centres have closed or suspended services, largely because of funding cuts.