Deadline: 31-Mar-2026
The World Food Programme (WFP) seeks partners to implement targeted emergency food assistance in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad region. This initiative focuses on cash and in-kind food support for the most vulnerable communities, including households facing acute hunger, malnutrition, and returnee populations, using a Hotspot Response approach guided by early warning data.
Overview of the Opportunity
The World Food Programme (WFP) invites expressions of interest from partners to deliver emergency food assistance in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. The programme aims to:
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Address acute hunger and malnutrition
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Target vulnerable households, including women, children, and persons with disabilities
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Ensure rapid response to sudden-onset emergencies
Due to reduced funding in 2026, broad nationwide food assistance will not be maintained, and WFP will focus on smaller, highly targeted interventions in communities identified as at-risk.
Context and Need
Afghanistan in 2026 faces overlapping crises:
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Escalating conflict along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border
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Spillover effects of regional conflict involving Iran
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Severe hunger and malnutrition, with:
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17.4 million people requiring urgent food assistance
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4.8 million experiencing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels of hunger
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Millions of children expected to need malnutrition treatment
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Additional contributing factors include drought, limited employment opportunities, forced returnees, and reduced humanitarian funding, disproportionately affecting women, girls, and persons with disabilities.
Hotspot Response Approach
WFP will implement a Hotspot Response modality, targeting the most at-risk communities using early warning data:
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Community Identification: Every two months, early warning data will identify hunger and malnutrition hotspots.
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Targeted Household Assistance:
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Severely food-insecure families and households with mothers or children at risk of acute malnutrition will be identified.
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Families receive three months of food assistance, either in-kind or as cash-based transfers at 50% rations.
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Contingency and Returnee Response
Partners will maintain capacity for sudden-onset emergencies, including earthquakes, floods, conflict-related displacement, and returnee influxes.
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Emergency Response: Affected families receive two months of food assistance at full rations (in-kind or cash).
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Returnee Support: Families crossing the Torkham border receive one month of full-ration cash-based transfers to support immediate reintegration needs.
Eligibility and Expectations for Partners
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Eligible Partners: NGOs, civil society organizations, or other implementing agencies with capacity to deliver targeted food assistance and emergency response.
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Responsibilities:
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Identification of at-risk households in hotspot communities
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Distribution of in-kind or cash-based rations
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Rapid response to emergencies
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Coordination with WFP and adherence to monitoring and reporting standards
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Why This Matters
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Addresses Immediate Hunger: Reaches populations facing severe food insecurity and malnutrition.
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Supports Vulnerable Groups: Prioritizes women, children, and people with disabilities.
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Strengthens Preparedness: Builds partner capacity to respond to sudden crises and returnee reintegration.
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Data-Driven Targeting: Uses early warning information to ensure resources reach the most urgent needs.
FAQs
1. What is the geographic focus of this call?
Jalalabad region, Afghanistan.
2. What types of assistance are provided?
Cash-based transfers and in-kind food assistance.
3. Who are the primary beneficiaries?
Severely food-insecure households, families with at-risk mothers or children, and returnees at the Torkham border.
4. How long is the assistance provided?
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Hotspot households: 3 months at 50% rations
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Emergency response households: 2 months at full rations
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Returnees at Torkham border: 1 month at full rations
5. How are communities selected?
Using early warning data updated every two months to identify hunger and malnutrition hotspots.
6. Can assistance respond to sudden shocks?
Yes, partners must maintain capacity to respond to earthquakes, floods, conflict displacement, and returnee influxes.
7. Are women and vulnerable groups prioritized?
Yes, the programme emphasizes inclusivity, prioritizing women, girls, and persons with disabilities.
Conclusion
The WFP Emergency Food Assistance in Jalalabad focuses on targeted, data-driven support to address acute hunger and malnutrition. By combining Hotspot Response, contingency planning, and returnee support, this initiative ensures that the most vulnerable populations receive timely and life-saving food assistance.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.