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OCHA: 48% of Afghanistan’s population living below the poverty line
OCHA also noted that more than three million people reside in areas contaminated by unexploded ordnance, posing ongoing risks to life and livelihood.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that 48% of Afghanistan’s population is currently living below the poverty line. The data, released on Monday, highlighted the country’s deepening humanitarian crisis.
According to the report, an estimated 22.9 million people in Afghanistan will require humanitarian assistance in 2025.
Of those, 14.8 million are facing food insecurity, with nearly half of the population living in poverty.
OCHA also noted that more than three million people reside in areas contaminated by unexploded ordnance, posing ongoing risks to life and livelihood.
“These numbers are not just statistics,” the agency stated. “Our inability to mobilize adequate and timely funding to address these needs will have devastating consequences.”
The humanitarian aid sector in Afghanistan is currently experiencing a severe funding shortfall.
For 2025, the United Nations has appealed for over $2.4 billion in humanitarian aid, but so far, only 12% of that amount has been secured.
The situation has been exacerbated by a significant decline in international support.
The United States, formerly Afghanistan’s largest donor, cut off foreign aid under the administration of President Donald Trump, leaving a substantial gap in funding for essential services and emergency relief.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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