Poverty, Hunger, Climate Change and COVID-19 Threaten Millions in Afghanistan

Most Afghans rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. The country lost 40% of its harvest this year due to drought and the price of food has jumped 10%–20%. In a survey conducted by CARE, women have less access to food, particularly to balanced diets, and are missing one more day of meals each week than men. Pandemic lockdowns restricted day labor work, impacting incomes and people’s ability to purchase food.

Zainab’s husband lost his job as soon as the government announced lockdowns in 2020. The reduced income combined with rising food prices made feeding their family difficult.

“People started hoarding and storing unnecessary amounts of food,” Zainab says. “The first few months were the toughest.”

Zainab and her family are just one example among millions in Afghanistan concerned about eating or earning a living every day. Many families with nothing left are resorting to child marriage.

Based on CARE’s analysis, 100% of IDP and refugee returnee women in Afghanistan reported that households in their community are relying on less expensive and less preferred food. Sixty-three percent reported sending children under 18 to work, and 67% reported reducing expenses on medication, hygiene items, and clothing. Food shortages are felt even more acutely by women, who are most often held responsible for providing and preparing the family’s food, putting them under additional stress.

“I am afraid if our unemployment situation continues, my children will die of hunger,” one Afghan woman said.

A CARE survey revealed that 41% of women reported lack of food as one of COVID-19’s key impacts on their lives, compared to 30% of men, reflecting deeply entrenched gender inequalities. In Afghanistan, generally men eat first due to cultural norms, leaving not enough food for women. Additionally, women often act as shock absorbers, taking on more unpaid work, acting as caregivers, and becoming the breadwinners for their households.

Meeting the country’s humanitarian needs will be even more critical due to the increasing number of people fleeing their homes. CARE focuses on education, emergency preparedness, drought response, and assisting displaced communities with emergency cash, water, sanitation and hygiene, and healthcare through mobile health clinics. Additionally, CARE is also focusing its response on protection, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and prevention of gender-based violence.

More funding is urgently needed to support the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people. CARE began working in Afghanistan in 1961 and has had continuous operations in the country since 1989, providing humanitarian assistance through strong relationships with local communities. CARE is committed to staying in Afghanistan and continuing our work.

“Access to enough and good quality food is becoming increasingly urgent. Millions of Afghans worry daily about how to feed their children or make a living and our CARE programs play a crucial role in meeting those huge needs,” Moses says.