UN Warns of Severe Drought Threatening Food Security in Afghanistan

The UN says Afghanistan faces a severe drought, with below-average rainfall, dry soil, and crop failures, endangering livestock and food security across multiple vulnerable provinces.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that Afghanistan is facing a severe period of drought.

In a report published Sunday, August 3, on its official X account, OCHA stated that reduced rainfall and dry soil conditions have significantly affected rain-fed wheat production and put livestock at serious risk due to fodder shortages.

Rainfall levels are reported to be below average, with higher-than-normal temperatures and extremely low soil moisture levels worsening the situation.

The most affected provinces include Badghis, Ghor, Faryab, Sar-e Pol, Samangan, Baghlan, Takhar, Badakhshan, Daikundi, Bamyan, Parwan, and Kabul. Only Herat province has returned to relatively normal conditions.

This comes as this year’s monsoon season began earlier than usual and with greater intensity, further complicating weather patterns across the country.

While some rain is forecast in select areas, experts say it may not be sufficient to reverse the impact of prolonged drought or restore agricultural productivity.

The ongoing drought threatens food security and livelihoods across Afghanistan, prompting urgent calls for international assistance to support farmers, protect livestock, and stabilize vulnerable rural communities.

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