Five years since the momentous changes in Afghanistan, its people need more support in the face of rising poverty, global aid cuts, an unprecedented influx of returnees, and challenges for women and girls.

Homelessness and destitution are increasing every day in Afghanistan and its people need greater global support, Islamic Relief says.

Afghanistan is under strain from one of the world’s biggest population movements, with more than six million Afghans returning from neighbouring countries since 2023, including over one million this year alone – increasing the country’s population by 12% in just three years. Many arrive involuntarily, with no jobs and few possessions, overwhelming services in one of the world’s poorest countries.   

At the same time, global aid cuts have forced many essential services to shut down – including at least 420 rural health clinics. Women and girls are bearing the biggest impact of these cuts, adding to the heavy restrictions on their education and employment, which further increase poverty.

Around 28 million people – more than half Afghanistan’s population – are living in poverty, with more than 80% of households now in debt. Malnutrition is rising, with 3.7 million children facing acute malnutrition this year.

Muhammad Zulqarnain Abbas, Islamic Relief’s Afghanistan country director, says:

“When the international community withdrew from Afghanistan five years ago, they promised to continue supporting Afghan civilians. But those commitments have been forgotten and the situation for ordinary families is getting worse.

“The number of people homeless and begging in the streets is increasing every day. Aid cuts mean vital services are shutting down, and there has been no change from the Afghan government to allow women to be educated and go to work, which could help struggling families. Many aid projects are the only source of support for women and girls, and they are worst affected by the cuts.

“In our projects at the borders with Iran and Pakistan we are seeing thousands of people returning every day, many with nowhere to go and no way to support themselves. Local services are struggling to cope with the massive influx.”

Adila* and her three children in Kabul started relying on humanitarian aid after her husband died of cancer, but the aid stopped last year. They now sleep in a neighbour’s small room, who lets them stay there in return for household cleaning and chores.

Adila told Islamic Relief: “Our economic situation is very bad. I did have a job but the restrictions on women mean I can no longer earn so much money from that. Today life is very difficult. I no longer have a place to live and am staying in this room, struggling to get enough food to survive with some meals thanks to the kindness of my neighbours. Most days we just eat one basic meal. It’s nine months since we ate proper meat, and I am worried about the nutrition of the children and their health.”

Adila’s 10-year-old daughter, Yelda, has been attending primary school but the family is struggling to afford to keep sending her. Afghanistan’s national laws allow girls to complete primary school, but many still drop out due to poverty, cultural attitudes and lack of facilities. Islamic Relief’s AGE project has worked with local faith leaders and community elders to change attitudes, build classrooms closer to home, and train more female teachers. As a result, more than 6,000 girls have been able to return to school.   

Despite the challenges, international aid has continued to have a positive impact in Afghanistan – supporting health and nutrition clinics, increasing agricultural productivity, and strengthening livelihoods. But eight months into the year, the UN-led 2026 humanitarian response plan has only a quarter of the funds it needs. The 2021 plan was almost fully funded, and in 2024 humanitarian organisations reached 22.4 million people, but so far in 2026 they have been able to help only 6.8 million.

Islamic Relief is calling on international governments to increase development assistance to the Afghan people, support long-term solutions to this growing crisis, and help Afghanistan rebuild a better future.  

Notes to editors

Islamic Relief works in 10 provinces of Afghanistan, supporting education, healthcare, livelihoods, nutrition and emergency response, including support for returnees from Pakistan and Iran. Last year Islamic Relief assisted over 1 million people across Afghanistan.

Adila*: Name changed to protect her identity.

More information about Islamic Relief’s AGE project is available in its new 2025 Global Reach, Impact and Learning Report https://islamic-relief.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/GlobalReachImpactLearningReport2025.pdf