Deadline: 16-Apr-2026
The World Food Programme (WFP) seeks partners to implement emergency food security interventions in Afghanistan, targeting populations affected by conflict, malnutrition, and displacement. The program emphasizes hotspot response, contingency support for sudden shocks, and assistance to returnees, prioritizing women, children, and vulnerable groups.
Overview
The World Food Programme (WFP) invites expressions of interest (EOI) from eligible organizations to implement emergency food security interventions across multiple provinces in Afghanistan.
The initiative addresses urgent needs arising from:
- Escalating conflict along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border
- Spillover impacts from the Iran crisis
- Severe hunger and malnutrition emergencies
With one in three Afghans requiring food assistance, WFP prioritizes interventions that are targeted, timely, and data-driven, ensuring support reaches the most vulnerable populations.
Key Objectives
- Provide food and cash-based assistance to populations at highest risk.
- Respond to hotspots using early warning and risk data.
- Ensure readiness for contingency responses to sudden shocks.
- Support returnees at border points with immediate relief.
Who is Eligible?
Organizations with experience in:
- Delivering emergency food or cash assistance in crisis settings
- Rapid needs assessment and community targeting
- Coordinating with local authorities, NGOs, and humanitarian agencies
- Monitoring, reporting, and accountability for aid delivery
Intervention Streams
1. Hotspot Response
The Hotspot Response targets communities identified through early warning data as at high risk of extreme hunger. Key activities include:
- Identifying vulnerable households every two months
- Providing three months of food or cash-based assistance at reduced rations
- Prioritizing households with mothers and children at risk of acute malnutrition
- Monitoring outcomes to ensure timely support
2. Contingency and Returnee Response
This stream ensures readiness to respond to sudden emergencies, such as:
- Natural disasters (floods, droughts)
- Conflict-induced displacement
- Influxes of returnees at border points
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing short-term support with full rations based on the severity of the crisis
- Maintaining rapid deployment mechanisms for immediate relief
- Coordinating with government, UN agencies, and local partners for effective response
Why It Matters
Afghanistan faces converging crises in 2026:
- Widespread conflict and displacement
- Severe food insecurity and child malnutrition
- Drought and reduced employment opportunities
- Funding shortfalls affecting aid delivery
This targeted approach ensures that limited resources reach those most in need, especially women, girls, and persons with disabilities, while maintaining readiness for rapid emergency interventions.
How to Apply / How It Works
- Submit Expression of Interest (EOI): Provide organizational details, experience, and technical capacity.
- Evaluation: WFP assesses capacity, past performance, and alignment with intervention goals.
- Partner Selection: Organizations selected to implement hotspot and contingency interventions.
- Implementation: Deliver food or cash-based assistance, identify vulnerable households, and respond to emergencies.
- Monitoring & Reporting: Track outcomes, ensure accountability, and report to WFP on progress and impact.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Demonstrate experience in rapid humanitarian response.
- Highlight previous work in food security, nutrition, and vulnerable populations.
- Include clear plans for monitoring, evaluation, and accountability.
- Show capacity for coordination with multiple stakeholders.
- Outline readiness for contingency and emergency response.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who can apply for this WFP opportunity?
Eligible humanitarian organizations with experience in emergency food or cash assistance in Afghanistan or similar contexts.
2. What populations are targeted?
Communities affected by conflict, malnutrition, displacement, and returnees at border points.
3. What types of assistance are provided?
Food rations, cash-based transfers, and targeted support for households at risk of acute malnutrition.
4. How are hotspot communities identified?
Through early warning systems and food security risk data to ensure timely interventions.
5. How often are households assisted under the Hotspot Response?
Every two months, vulnerable households receive three months of assistance at reduced rations.
6. How does the Contingency and Returnee Response work?
It provides rapid, short-term support with full rations during sudden emergencies, including natural disasters, conflict, or returnee influxes.
7. What is the expected outcome?
Reduced hunger, prevention of malnutrition, and improved emergency response for vulnerable populations in Afghanistan.
Conclusion
The WFP emergency food security program in Afghanistan provides a targeted, data-driven, and responsive approach to address acute hunger and malnutrition. By prioritizing hotspot interventions, contingency readiness, and support for returnees, the initiative ensures timely assistance to the most vulnerable while strengthening the capacity of local and international partners to respond to ongoing crises.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
