The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has issued a dire warning about Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation. It says 20 million people now need urgent help as climate disasters like floods, droughts, and extreme weather increase suffering across the country.
In a report released this week, the IOM said climate events are pushing vulnerable communities toward crisis. Farmers and herders in rural areas are being hit hardest, where agriculture provides livelihoods for 60% of the population. Floods have washed away homes, while drought has dried up water sources and ruined crops.
Adding to the strain, over 2 million people returning from Iran and Pakistan are arriving in communities already struggling with scarce jobs and poor infrastructure. These returnees often settle in regions prone to drought and natural disasters, placing further pressure on local resources.
The IOM says humanitarian groups are struggling to keep up due to limited funding. It called for stronger international support to help Afghanistan adapt to a climate crisis that is worsening each year. Without more resources, millions of people face deeper poverty, hunger, and displacement.
Humanitarian agencies have warned repeatedly that Afghanistan is among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Yet aid funding has declined, even as more people need food, water, and shelter. The IOM says a coordinated global response is essential to prevent a deeper catastrophe.