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Emergencies

AFGHANISTAN HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

3.2 million

Afghans are displaced inside the country due to conflict.

23.7 million

 Afghans - over half of the population, including women and girls - are in need of humanitarian and protection assistance.

10.9 million

Afghans remain displaced, almost all within their country or in neighboring countries due to conflict, violence and poverty. 

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Right now, war and violence have forced more than 120 million people to flee their homes. Sign up to learn how you can help!

About the Crisis in Afghanistan

After more than 40 years, Afghan refugees continue to make up one of the largest and most protracted displacement situations under UNHCR’s mandate. An estimated 23.7 million people–more than half of Afghanistan’s population–will require humanitarian and protection assistance in 2024 as the situation in the country continues to deteriorate. The prolonged nature of the crisis has prompted intensified efforts to support Afghan refugees and the host communities in Iran and Pakistan that have generously accommodated them for over four decades. 

Globally, nearly 10.9 million Afghans remained displaced, almost all within their country or in neighboring countries. In 2023, the number of Afghan refugees reported globally increased by 741,400 to reach 6.4 million, mostly reflecting new population reported by both the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan.

In 2021, events leading up to the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in August exacerbated displacement throughout the country. More than 3.2 million people in the country remain displaced from their homes. The impact of the conflict on women and girls has been particularly devastating – over 70 percent of all forcibly displaced within Afghanistan are women and children. 

“Afghanistan’s displacement crisis is one of the largest and most protracted in UNHCR’s seven-decade history. We’re now seeing a third generation of Afghan children born in exile,’’ says UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

VIDEO

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Khaled Hosseini urges for support for displaced Afghan families

How to Help in Afghanistan

UNHCR is on the ground aiding Afghan refugees and the forcibly displaced, but resources are stretched too thin. Your gift will offer hope for a safe future.

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What is UNHCR doing to help in Afghanistan?

Despite challenging circumstances, the UN Refugee Agency is on the ground delivering lifesaving support to millions of displaced Afghans. The needs of those who have had to flee suddenly are acute, increasing demand for shelter, food, water and health services. 

Responding to the most critical priorities, UNHCR has provided food, shelter, cash, hygiene and sanitary kits and other lifesaving assistance together with partners. UNHCR has also undertaken protection monitoring covering 34 provinces.

Afghanistan facts

UNHCR continues to work with authorities in some of the countries neighboring Afghanistan to plan and prepare for potential future movements of Afghan refugees.

Afghanistan Refugee Camps and Settlements

Displacement

Iran and Pakistan host 7.7 million displaced Afghans - more than 1.6 million of whom arrived since 2021 alone.

Hunger

An estimated 28% of the population in Afghanistan – or about 12.4 million people - is expected to face acute food insecurity before October 2024.

Housing

80 percent of households across Afghanistan have experienced income reduction. People’s debts have mounted – both in terms of the number of people taking on debt (82 percent of all households) and the amount of debt (about 11 percent higher than the previous year).

Stories from the crisis in Afghanistan

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After more than four decades of conflict and instability in Afghanistan, an estimated 23.7 million Afghans are in need of humanitarian assistance. Learn more about the Afghanistan refugee crisis.

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