Afghanistan: UN Warns of Triple Crisis in Afghanistan: Drought, Migrant Return and Funding Shortfalls

Jan 17, 2026
Ariana News
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The United Nations has raised an urgent alarm over Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian crisis, citing three simultaneous challenges that are significantly straining the country’s stability and welfare. The crises include a devastating drought, the mass return of migrants, and a sharp decline in international aid.

Andrika Ratwatte, the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan, delivered the warning in a recent video message, highlighting the severe impacts of these interconnected issues. Ratwatte reported that approximately 70 percent of Afghanistan’s population, reliant on agriculture for their livelihoods, has been affected by the ongoing drought, exacerbating widespread food insecurity.

In addition, the return of 2.5 million Afghan migrants from neighboring Iran and Pakistan, combined with a global financial downturn, has significantly hindered humanitarian efforts. The crisis has placed immense pressure on Afghanistan’s already fragile humanitarian infrastructure, which was already facing a shortage of resources and aid.