The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned that Afghanistan is facing more frequent and severe natural disasters each year, driven by the growing impacts of climate change.

In a report released on Tuesday, IOM said climate change has significantly intensified the scale and severity of natural hazards across the country, increasing humanitarian needs among vulnerable communities.

According to the report, IOM provided emergency humanitarian assistance to 27,679 disaster-affected families across Afghanistan in 2025. Among them, 6,901 vulnerable families received winter assistance, including heating equipment, clothing, and other essential seasonal items.

The report also noted that 15,030 families benefited from emergency support such as non-food items, cash assistance, and family tents. In addition, 2,147 families received shelter support, while 3,601 families gained access to clean water and healthcare services.

IOM said the figures highlight the scale of growing humanitarian needs in Afghanistan, particularly as natural disasters become more frequent and intense due to climate change.

The organization called for sustained and strengthened support to help vulnerable communities cope with recurring emergencies and to enhance resilience against future climate-related disasters.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Mohammad Mudasir Tipu, has confirmed that communication channels between Islamabad and Kabul remain active, with ongoing negotiations aimed at addressing recent challenges between the two countries.

In an interview with Tasnim News Agency, Tipu highlighted the region’s strategic importance and its economic and historical opportunities. “We seek to promote peace, development, and security in the region and are working to bring the people of both countries closer together,” he said.

The ambassador stressed that Pakistan’s primary concern is terrorism and the need for effective countermeasures, noting that the country suffered significant losses last year. He described these concerns as legitimate and justified.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has repeatedly rejected Pakistan’s allegations, asserting that Afghan territory will not be used against any country.

Tipu also noted that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister recently visited Kabul and held extensive talks with Afghan officials to address bilateral issues.

He concluded that enhanced cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan could lay the foundation for lasting peace and sustainable development in the region.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said nearly half of Afghanistan’s population—about 21.9 million people—will require humanitarian assistance in 2026, warning that the country remains one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.

In its 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), released Tuesday, OCHA said the projected figure represents around 45 percent of the population. Humanitarian agencies aim to assist 17.5 million people next year, with funding requirements estimated at $1.71 billion.

In a statement posted on X, OCHA Afghanistan said that while overall humanitarian needs have slightly declined compared with previous years, conditions remain severe. The agency cited prolonged conflict, economic fragility, limited access to basic services, and the erosion of rights as major factors undermining people’s ability to cope.

OCHA said the crisis is being further compounded by worsening food insecurity, large-scale cross-border returns, climate-driven droughts, recurring natural disasters, and the systematic exclusion of women and girls from public life.

The agency called on the international community to sustain and strengthen humanitarian support to prevent further deterioration and protect vulnerable communities across the country.

The warning comes as the United States announced a $2 billion pledge for United Nations humanitarian programs on Tuesday, saying future funding would be conditional and limited to 17 countries, including Haiti, Syria, and Sudan. Afghanistan and Yemen were excluded.

U.S. officials said Washington has evidence that UN funds in Afghanistan were diverted to the Islamic Emirate and stressed that U.S. taxpayer money would not be allowed to reach designated terrorist groups.

Humanitarian organizations have warned that the funding restrictions could deepen a global aid shortfall, already forcing the closure of maternal and child health clinics in Afghanistan and cuts to food assistance for displaced populations elsewhere. The United Nations has warned that global child mortality rates could rise after years of decline.