UN warns worsening drought threatens rural livelihoods in Afghanistan
US agency says urgent aid needed as drought devastates crops, kills livestock, and deepens food insecurity in vulnerable provinces
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — A rapidly intensifying drought is ravaging Afghanistan’s agricultural heartlands, threatening the survival of farming and herding communities already reeling from economic instability and limited humanitarian access.
According to Khaama Press, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has issued an urgent warning about the expanding crisis, particularly in the northern, northwestern, and northeastern provinces. These areas—highly dependent on seasonal rains—are now facing severe crop failures and rising livestock deaths due to prolonged dry conditions.
While FAO has not released detailed figures, it confirmed that the situation is deteriorating fast. The combination of climate-driven drought and fragile local economies is pushing thousands of rural households closer to the brink of disaster.
In a recent update posted on X, FAO emphasized the urgent need for immediate humanitarian support. Cash assistance and veterinary aid are critical to helping affected families preserve what remains of their livestock, which for many represent their primary economic lifeline.
To address the worsening conditions, FAO announced an expansion of its emergency relief programs. These efforts aim to stabilize both crop production and animal health, reducing the risk of widespread hunger and long-term economic fallout.
The drought comes amid a broader humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan, where poverty, political isolation, and restricted access to global financial systems continue to hinder aid efforts. With limited internal resources, Afghanistan is especially vulnerable to climate shocks.
Aid agencies are calling on the international community to respond swiftly. Without increased funding and technical support, the risk of large-scale food insecurity, displacement, and irreversible development setbacks looms large.
“The time to act is now,” FAO said in its appeal, warning that delayed intervention could result in irreversible losses for communities already at their breaking point.
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