Afghanistan’s economy remains exceedingly fragile, and the food insecurity remains alarmingly high. In October 2023, during the post-harvest season, approximately 13.1 million people, accounting for 29 percent of the total population faced high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above).

The main drivers of this acute food insecurity included challenging economic conditions, high unemployment rates, reduced livelihood opportunities and decreased remittances. The adverse impact of extreme and variable climatic conditions – particularly the multi-year drought experienced between 2021 and 2023 – continue to be felt in 2023. Additionally, other natural hazards such as flooding and earthquakes further compromised the limited coping capacity of the population, resulting in the persistence of a severe food insecurity situation.

In the projection period, between November 2023 and March 2024 (corresponding to the winter lean season) a further deterioration in food security is expected, with the number of people in IPC Phase 3 or above likely to rise to 15.8 million (36 percent of the total population), including about 3.6 million people in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency), and about 12.3 million people in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis).

Compared to the same period of previous years, the decrease of number of people facing high food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) during the lean season (November 2023 – March 2024), and especially in Emergency (IPC Phase 4), can be attributed predominantly to the extensive, timely and efficient delivery of humanitarian food and agriculture assistance.

1. Urgent advocacy and resource mobilization: High-level advocacy and resource mobilization efforts should be undertaken to address the immediate food security needs of populations in IPC Phase 3 and above. It is crucial to ensure the sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance and active participation of female humanitarian staff in aid delivery.
2. Humanitarian food assistance: Continuation of food assistance, including increasing levels to cover all populations classified in Phase 3 and Phase 4 is imperative. This will help prevent them from slipping into higher levels of food insecurity, including Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) for the most vulnerable.
3. Scale-up of emergency agricultural and livelihood support: For populations in Phase 3 and Phase 4, scaling up emergency agricultural and livelihood assistance is essential. This support is necessary to safeguard livelihoods, aid spring season crop cultivation, prepare for the next winter wheat season, and ensure the well-being of livestock. Special attention should be given to women farmers to prevent asset depletion and further deterioration of household food production capacity in rural areas.
4. Gender-sensitive and responsive interventions: Implement gender-sensitive food assistance initiatives and interventions specifically designed to support female-headed households, women, and children who face challenges in accessing their basic needs. These groups are often socially marginalized and require targeted support.