Amidst mounting international concerns over widespread poverty in Afghanistan, exacerbated by 20 years of US occupation and a tumultuous withdrawal, the World Food Programme (WFP) has issued an urgent plea for $760 million in food assistance over the next six months.

Highlighting the dire situation on social media, the WFP revealed that millions of Afghans are grappling with severe hunger, with over half of the population, estimated at 43 million, being forced to reduce their food intake.

Disturbing statistics from the World Food Programme indicate that a staggering 16 million people in Afghanistan are plagued by daily worries about securing enough food, with the humanitarian crisis intensifying during winter due to impassable roads.

Compounding the misery, neighboring countries like Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey have stepped up the forced deportation of Afghan migrants, despite harsh winter conditions. Pakistani officials alone have deported over half a million Afghans since October 2023, leaving returnees to grapple with inadequate access to essentials like water, shelter, and medical care, coupled with bleak job prospects and an uncertain future.

Adding to the woes, a severe earthquake that struck Herat province in October last year further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children, who now face heightened levels of malnutrition.

Since the Taliban's takeover, restrictions on women's rights, including limitations on employment with aid organizations, have been imposed, leading to decreased aid support from donors and worsening the plight of the Afghan people.

The unfolding catastrophe underscores the pressing need for international support to alleviate the suffering of millions of Afghans struggling to meet basic food needs. The WFP's appeal serves as a stark reminder of the critical imperative to address food insecurity in Afghanistan promptly to avert further deterioration of the situation.