Afghanistan faces severe food crisis amid Ramadan

Millions struggle with uncertainty about their next meal as humanitarian aid falls short

KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) – As Ramadan begins, millions of Afghans are grappling with severe food insecurity, uncertain about where their next meal will come from, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

OCHA reports that 14.8 million people in Afghanistan are currently facing food insecurity. 

At the same time, humanitarian aid funding remains critically low, with only $9.9 million (0.9%) of the $1.09 billion needed to address the crisis secured.

The situation has forced many into extreme poverty. Gul Mir, a 48-year-old shoe polisher in Kabul, described his struggle to feed his family. 

“I make 100 afghanis a day. I have 10 family members to support, and all we can afford is dry bread. It’s Ramadan, and I swear to God, I couldn’t even buy a small amount of cream. Yesterday, I sat all day and managed to polish only one shoe, earning just 20 afghanis,” he said.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has warned that halting its operations would only worsen the already dire situation. 

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Economy believes lifting global economic sanctions could offer a long-term solution.

“The fundamental solution is for the international community to lift restrictions and enable infrastructure projects so people can find jobs and gradually move toward self-sufficiency instead of relying on foreign aid,” said Abdul Rahman Habib, spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy.

Economic analyst Mohammad Nabi Afghan echoed this view, stressing the importance of a sustainable strategy. 

“Instead of relying on foreign aid, which creates dependency, the government must develop expertise in this area. We need a comprehensive economic plan to make our economy self-reliant,” he said.

As the country struggles with an urgent food crisis, addressing both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term economic solutions remains critical for Afghanistan’s recovery and self-sufficiency.