Five reasons why Afghanistan remains within the top 3 countries most at risk of worsening humanitarian crisis in the International Rescue Committee’s Emergency Watchlist.

“If you want people to become successful, give them respect and worth.”

An estimated 23.7 million civilians in Afghanistan require humanitarian support for basic needs such as warm clothes for the winter, electricity, food and clean water. Having undergone the worst winter in 15 years in 2023, the colder, more remote provinces, such as the Bamiyan province, are still suffering disastrous effects.

  On this page you will find a list of stories and articles detailing the experiences of refugees, asylum seekers, activists, IRC staff and clients and other people around the world as they survive, thrive, recover and rebuild their lives amidst humanitarian crises. Our stories are organised by regions.

"I tried many times to take my children and leave Afghanistan.

As a country already prone to natural disasters, climate change has increased Afghanistan’s likelihood of suffering extreme weather events. This is having devastating effects on access to food and has contributed to putting one million children at risk of severe malnutrition. Compounding this crisis, 2023 marked the country's third successive year plagued by drought-like conditions, with 35% of Afghanistan's population finding themselves confronting acute food insecurity. The drought has led to households struggling with malnutrition even after harvest.

As Afghanistan faces a growing humanitarian crisis, Afghan women and girls are bearing the brunt of much of the suffering.