In a world where crises compete for attention, Afghanistan, once at the forefront of international aid and media coverage, now sits in the shadows. This year, the global focus has been largely on the victims of the wars in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine.
The multiple crises plaguing Afghanistan have barely made international media headlines, but they persist. Afghans are suffering from worsening humanitarian, climate and economic crises, characterized by extreme poverty, food insecurity and dwindling aid.
In 2024, 23.7 million people – more than half the population – will need humanitarian assistance. Reports indicate that Afghanistan has the fourth largest number of people facing extreme hunger and food shortages. About 12.4 million Afghans do not know where they will get their next meal, putting their country among the top “hunger hotspots” alongside Palestine, Yemen, Haiti and Syria.
About 80 percent of families live on less than $1 per person per day. Nearly four million children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers suffer from malnutrition. These already difficult conditions are exacerbated by recurring natural disasters from which communities have no capacity to recover.
Earthquakes, floods and landslides regularly devastate the country. For example, in October 2023, several 6.3-magnitude earthquakes struck Herat Province, killing at least 2,000 people and injuring thousands more. More than 10,000 homes were destroyed and more than 20,000 homes were severely damaged. At least 275,000 people were affected and needed assistance.
Despite some relief efforts in the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes, the city of Herat remains devastated. Thousands of families are facing harsh weather for a second winter without permanent housing or access to water, food and sanitation. The destroyed schools have not been rebuilt.
Climate change has also affected Afghanistan. Despite contributing less than 0.1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, it ranks among the ten countries most vulnerable to climate change. Issues such as drought and water scarcity are particularly acute.
In Kabul, water shortages have become so serious that UNICEF warned this year that the city could run out of groundwater by 2030 if immediate action is not taken. Water shortages threaten not only urban residents but also rural communities where drought has devastated local agriculture and livestock.
Afghanistan also suffers from a weak economy. Unemployment rates have doubled since last year, while the forced return of Afghan citizens from neighboring Pakistan has cut off vital economic lifelines. Despite the growing hostility towards Afghans in neighboring countries, migration continues at a high pace. About eight million people have left the country since 2020, according to the International Organization for Migration.
Many families are considering leaving not only because of economic hardship but also because girls and women are deprived of education and work.
These multiple crises are starkly evident in Kabul. Because they do not have jobs, many women are forced to beg with their children on the streets while the boys sell plastic bags, polish shoes, and collect garbage to earn money. Many workers and wheelbarrow bearers resorted to begging, often waiting outside bakeries for bread crumbs.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Afghanistan rarely makes international headlines. This silence is especially heartbreaking when considering the increasing number of children who are forced to work even in the cold of winter to earn a meager living. Their stories of suffering deserve to be heard and acknowledged.
However, Afghanistan needs more than just attention. It requires meaningful action. The international community must realize that the plight of the Afghan people is no less urgent than the plight of the people of Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine. Poverty and disaster-stricken Afghanistan, abandoned by the international community, can only be a source of instability in the region.
To permanently break the cycle of hunger and poverty, the international community, NGOs and donor countries must invest in sustainable, long-term solutions. This includes building irrigation canals and dams, developing agriculture and livestock, improving infrastructure, and creating job opportunities. These efforts will help rural people stay in their communities, work their land, and secure a better future for their children. Rural development will certainly help urban centers to flourish.
Afghanistan’s silent suffering and plight require urgent action. By addressing the root causes of its crises, the international community can restore hope and dignity to its people and work toward a prosperous world in which no country is left behind.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Al Jazeera.
