Afghanistan is facing record levels of hunger amid rampant human rights violations

UN agency heads called for emergency support to stem the crisis, as separate reports detailed serious human rights violations – from public canings to new bans on demonstrations.

Key points

• 15.9 million Afghans face acute food insecurity
• 3.4 million people are experiencing emergency food insecurity, which precedes famine, and conditions are expected to get worse
• New UN report on human rights in Afghanistan revealed serious violations, ranging from public canings to new bans on demonstrations

Crisis level hunger

Record-high levels of acute malnutrition in the August-October period have led to rising hunger levels for millions of Afghans – according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global initiative that aims to inform decision-making based on the five phases of food security.

Economic stress is weighing on households nationwide, and contributes to more than 32 percent of the population facing it phase three crisis level acute food insecurity or higher, incl 3.4 million people experienced a phase four emergency.

The current decline is driven by disease outbreaks and inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene conditions, coupled with reduced access to nutrition services, the report found.

Will get worse

The situation is expected to worsen in November to April during the winter lean season, when nearly 19.2 million people are expected to face phase three or beyond, including five million people who are in an emergency state of food insecurity.

Acute malnutrition is also expected to increase significantly, with 4.04 million children under the age of five expected to require treatment between January and December 2027.

“While increased rainfall and better agricultural production have supported food availability, reduced humanitarian assistance is reducing households’ ability to cope,” the report warns.

‘A window to action’

World Food Program (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (F.A.O) issued a strong message on Thursday, calling for urgent funding to scale up food aid, emergency agricultural support, and the prevention and treatment of malnutrition.

“We still have an opportunity to act, but it will soon be over,” said WFP country director John Aylieff. “With urgent support, families can get through the winter with dignity. Without that support, many will face impossible choices that any parent must make.”

FAO representative Richard Trenchard said families needed opportunities for reliable livelihoods that “help them survive the next shock” and support to get through this winter.

Crackdown on women, media, civic space

UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Thursday reported the continued erosion of human rights across the country between July and September, with women and girls bearing the brunt of restrictions imposed by Taliban authorities.

Key observations

Ban on girls’ schools: Girls are still prohibited from formal education after sixth grade. When asked about the ban, a Taliban spokesman said that “issues and considerations” must be considered from the perspective of Sharia law.

Women were arrested, detained or given warnings: UNAMA documented more than 50 hijab-related cases, most of which occurred in Herat and Kabul. In one case, a 13-year-old girl was detained overnight. Women are also prohibited from entering health clinics and markets without a male guardian, or mahram.

Arbitrary arrest and detention: The mission recorded at least 443 cases and 97 incidents of abuse by benevolence and deputy inspectors for offenses including hijab violations, shaving of beards, skipping prayers and listening to music.

Judicial corporal punishment: Although the Supreme Court de facto stopped publicly announcing such cases on its social media accounts and website in April, UNAMA documented the public flogging of 22 men and six women on charges including theft and adultery, and the arrest of 14 former members of the security forces, with at least four others killed.

Media and civil liberties are restricted: Several outlets were suspended without clear reasons and appeal procedures. A journalist arrested in July 2025 is still being held without punishment. A new police law, published in August, banned all demonstrations.

Cross-border violence: Since October 2025, 512 civilians have been killed and 1,236 injured, with 33 fatalities in the last quarter, including children killed in Pakistani airstrikes on homes in Kunar and Helmand.

Read the full report Here.