Source: World Vision
World Vision is warning of a rapidly worsening hunger crisis in Afghanistan after Iran halted food exports due to the escalating conflict across the Middle East.
Afghanistan is heavily reliant on both Iran and Pakistan for food imports, but trade with its neighbours has now largely dried up following a significant escalation in hostilities over the border region with Pakistan, and amid widening conflict across the Middle East and Gulf region.
Afghanistan imports 80% of its market needs, and Iran is typically the largest supplier of these vital food and agricultural products.
These food shortages, combined with price spikes and the forced return of nearly two million Afghans from Iran over the past year are conspiring to create a massive hunger and economic crisis for a country where nearly four million children [i] are already acutely malnourished.
New Research by World Vision and research agency Samuel Hall reveals that lost income from families who were living in Iran or Pakistan is also pushing thousands of Afghans into deep debt.
The Compounding Returns report surveyed more than 400 families in Herat, Faryab and Kabul and found that lost remittances (money sent home by family members working abroad)causes not just a temporary income gap, but a rapid and multifaceted shock.
It reveals that:
- 65% of households depended on remittances for more than three quarters of their income, leaving them highly exposed when those transfers end.
- 94% reported an immediate loss of income, often within days of a family member’s deportation.
- 97% fell into debt to pay for food, healthcare, rent and other basic needs.
- One in five children has been forced out of school because families can no longer afford fees, supplies or transport, or because children must now contribute to household income.
World Vision National Director, Thamindri De Silva, says the impact has been devastating .
“Remittances from Iran were the economic backbone for many families and when that backbone is removed overnight, the shock travels quickly from income to food, from food to debt, and from debt to children’s wellbeing.
“To prevent a deepening child protection crisis, we must stabilise communities early and protect children before harmful coping becomes irreversible.”
Samuel Hall CEO, Nassim Majidi says external support is vital to help families weather the economic storm brought about through the loss of income from Iran and Pakistan.
“Our research found a clear pathway: deportation cuts off remittances, income collapses, debt rises, and households are pushed into harmful coping strategies that undermine children’s education, health, and safety. With almost no external support reaching most affected families, the priority must be a sequenced response – stabilise families, protect children, and support recovery through realistic, market-linked livelihoods.
Zuleika, a 23-year-old woman from Ghor says the impact has been devastating.
“Since my father was deported, we have faced serious economic problems. The first change was a lack of food. Two of my brothers were in grade eight and we had to withdraw them from school. They now work for a soup seller.
“We continue to reduce our expenses. If we cannot buy gas in the future, we may have to burn old clothes to keep warm. There is no support from the community and little assistance.”
The report warns that if deportations continue while humanitarian funding declines, the risks to children will intensify.
World Vision is calling for greater support for Afghanistan to provide livelihood support and maintain community resilience.
World Vision has been working in Afghanistan for nearly 25 years providing food, clean water, child and maternal health services, child protection programmes, and education support.
To help support World Vision’s work in Afghanistan, please donate here: https://www.worldvision.org.nz/give-now/childhood-rescue/afghanistan/
