Afghanistan is in the grip of a worsening food crisis, with aid reductions leaving millions of people struggling to get by. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), the agency can now only assist half of the 15 million Afghans in desperate need of food.

Many families are surviving on little more than bread and tea, a grim reality highlighted by the WFP’s outgoing director in Afghanistan. The situation has been exacerbated by a sharp decline in international funding, partly due to concerns over the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s rights and competing global emergencies.

The economic collapse began in 2021 when the Taliban took control, and foreign development and security aid was frozen. Humanitarian efforts have since stepped in, but donors have been pulling back, leaving millions without adequate support. This year, Afghanistan’s humanitarian plan was only about halfway funded, and there are fears this could drop even further.

Adding to the challenges, the U.S. has paused its foreign assistance to review its alignment with policy goals. This move is particularly troubling, as the U.S. has been Afghanistan’s largest donor, contributing over 40% of humanitarian funds in 2024.

WFP officials emphasized the dire need for continued aid, noting that women and children are especially vulnerable. Despite strict Taliban rules, many organizations have found ways to reach female beneficiaries, ensuring that critical assistance still gets through.

The crisis is a stark reminder of the urgent need for global support. As Afghanistan faces one of its toughest winters yet, the world must decide whether to turn a blind eye or step up to help those in desperate need.