Deadline: 31-Mar-2026
The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking Expressions of Interest to implement targeted emergency food security interventions in Afghanistan’s most vulnerable provinces. The initiative uses a Hotspot Response approach, delivering cash or in-kind assistance to families at risk of famine, acute malnutrition, and food insecurity, while also supporting contingency and returnee responses.
Overview of the Initiative
The World Food Programme (WFP) is responding to escalating conflict, severe hunger, and worsening malnutrition in Afghanistan. Assistance focuses on vulnerable communities in the provinces of Jowzjan, Sar-e-Pul, Balkh, Faryab, Badghis, and Samangan.
Key objectives include:
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Strengthening food security through cash and in-kind assistance
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Targeting households at risk of acute hunger or malnutrition
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Supporting returnees and populations affected by sudden shocks
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Using early warning data to guide interventions and prioritize the most vulnerable
Current Context in Afghanistan
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Food insecurity: 17.4 million people (1 in 3 Afghans) require urgent assistance
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Emergency hunger: 4.8 million experiencing IPC Phase 4 levels of hunger
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Child malnutrition: 3.7 million children expected to require treatment in 2026
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Contributing factors: Regional conflicts, forced returnees, prolonged drought, limited employment, and reduced humanitarian funding
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Vulnerable groups include women, girls, and persons with disabilities
Due to funding limitations, WFP will focus on smaller, targeted interventions rather than large-scale general food assistance.
Hotspot Response Approach
The Hotspot Response methodology identifies communities at risk of catastrophic hunger using early warning data every two months. Key steps include:
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Data Analysis: Identify hunger and malnutrition hotspots
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Household Targeting: Cooperating partners select severely food-insecure families and those with at-risk mothers or children
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Assistance Delivery: Provide three months of food or cash assistance at 50% rations to targeted households
Contingency and Returnee Response
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Sudden onset shocks: Respond to earthquakes, floods, conflict-related displacement, or sudden returnee influxes
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Assistance: Two months of food or cash at full rations for affected families
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Returnee support at Torkham border: One month of cash assistance at full rations to address immediate food needs
Eligible Partners
WFP is inviting cooperating partners with capacity to:
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Identify and reach food-insecure households
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Deliver cash-based or in-kind assistance
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Respond rapidly to contingencies and sudden shocks
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Maintain monitoring and reporting aligned with WFP standards
Conclusion
The WFP Afghanistan 2026 emergency food security initiative provides targeted support to the most vulnerable communities using early warning data, hotspot targeting, and contingency planning. By focusing on households at risk of famine and malnutrition, the programme ensures that women, children, and other vulnerable populations receive timely food assistance, while building local capacity for rapid response during crises.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
