22.9 Million People In Afghanistan In Need Of Humanitarian Assistance Next Year, Says UN

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced that 22.9 million people in Afghanistan are in need of humanitarian assistance in 2025.

The office said that poverty and unemployment have seriously affected almost half of the Afghan population, especially women.

OCHA said in a statement on Tuesday, December 17, that in 2025, 21 million people will face water and health shortages, 14.8 million people will face acute food insecurity, 14.3 million people will face limited access to health services, and 7.8 million women and children will need food assistance.

"Unemployment, family debt and poverty remain widespread, affecting almost half of the population, and are even more pronounced for women, especially female-headed households," OCHA said in a statement.

The UN office also said that in addition to the economic crisis, the Afghan people are exposed to increasing legal restrictions imposed by the Taliban. According to OCHA, these restrictions increase protection risks for all people, especially women, girls and other vulnerable groups.

The UN agency has warned that political developments in Afghanistan's neighbouring countries increase the risk of a crisis of repatriation of Afghan refugees.