Nowruz Marked as One-Third Of Afghans Face Hunger, Says WFP

The World Food Programme (WFP) has extended its Nowruz greetings while drawing attention to the worsening hunger crisis in Afghanistan, where one-third of the population is now food insecure.

The agency noted that while Nowruz is traditionally marked by preparing Samanak, a festive dish symbolising prosperity, many Afghan families can no longer afford basic food supplies.

In a post shared on X on Friday, the WFP said it is working to provide food assistance to those in need and called on donors and supporters to continue their contributions.

Earlier this month, on 2 March, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that this year’s Ramadan had begun with millions of Afghans uncertain about where their next meal would come from. OCHA reported that nearly 15 million people in Afghanistan are currently experiencing food insecurity.

According to the United Nations, at least 23 million Afghans are in need of humanitarian assistance. UN agencies in the country have raised concerns about declining international support and urged donors not to scale back their commitments during what remains a critical time for millions.