Afghanistan

Overview

Afghanistan is affected by insecurity, infrastructure decay, and economic stagnation caused by decades of conflict, recurring natural hazards, and protracted and multiple displacement. 18.4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.?

In recent years, conflict between Afghan National Security Forces, the Taliban, and the Islamic State Khorasan Province has intensified. Violent attacks and armed clashes have severely impacted civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and roads. Conflict remains the main driver of displacement, and 344,000 people were displaced in 2020 because of conflict and insecurity. Afghanistan is also prone to natural disasters, including earthquakes, droughts, and floods. In 2020, 104,000 people were affected and 200 killed by natural disasters, marking a significant decrease from 306,000 people affected in 2019.?

Since 2012, 4.8 million people remain internally displaced outside their area of origin because of conflict and natural disasters. The largest IDP hosting areas are in the north, north-east, and eastern provinces, where conflict is active. More than half of IDPs live in provincial capitals, where public services are strained and struggling to cope.?

The effects of conflict, economic decline, natural hazards, and COVID-19 contributed to a marked deterioration in food security in 2020. 13.1 million people are projected to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or higher levels of food insecurity between November 2020–March 2021, a 6% increase from the previously reported 11.1 million from August to October 2020. ?

A high number of returnees, primarily from Iran and Pakistan, require additional local and international response. 2020 marked the highest rate of return for undocumented Afghan migrants (856,793 compared to 805,000 in 2018), mainly because of loss of work and wages, movement restrictions connected to COVID-19, and lack of access to medical services in host countries. The provinces with the highest number of returnees are Kandahar, Nangarhar, Herat, and Takhar.?

INFORM indicates that Afghanistan’s risk of humanitarian crisis is very high, with a score of 8.1/10. This is because of the country’s high hazard exposure and vulnerability.?

Latest Developments

There are no significant recent humanitarian developments. This crisis is being monitored by our analysis team.

ACAPS' team is daily monitoring the impact of COVID-19. Find more information related to the outbreak here.