Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025 Summary

OVERVIEW

In 2025, 22.9 million people will require humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. This includes 21 million lacking adequate water and sanitation, 14.8 million people facing acute food insecurity, 14.3 million people with limited access to healthcare and 7.8 million women and children requiring nutrition assistance. At the same time, the population continues to be exposed to mounting rights-related restrictions imposed by the de facto authorities, heightening protection risks for everyone, but especially women, girls and other at-risk groups. Unemployment, household debt and poverty remain widespread, affecting nearly half of the population, and are more pronounced for women and women-headed households.

Economic decline has further contributed to gaps in sustainable development, limited livelihood opportunities and weak healthcare and education systems, hindering resilience and generating conditions for recurring humanitarian crises. Political developments in neighboring

countries add to the risk of a renewed returnee crisis and burden being placed on already over-stretched basic services and local resources in host communities. Seasonal challenges and the anticipated shift to a La Niña by early 2025 could also see a reduction in snowfall and rainfall, alongside warmer temperatures, contributing to drought-like conditions in key rain-fed agricultural areas.

Of the 22.9 million people in need in 2025, humanitarian actors will prioritize 16.8 million people for assistance with requirements of US$2.42 billion. The humanitarian response comprises food assistance, emergency shelter, healthcare, nutrition services, education, safe drinking water, hygiene items and cash assistance, including multi-purpose cash, among other forms of multi-sectoral support. The protection of vulnerable groups, especially women, girls, boys and those living with disabilities, remains paramount, ensuring they do not fall further into humanitarian need.