Kabul, January 17 (QNA) - Afghanistan is gripped by a triple crisis comprising drought, the return of refugees, and funding shortages, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, Indrika Ratwatte, said in press remarks.

Ratwatte pointed out that the prolonged drought, which has affected nearly 70% of Afghans dependent on agriculture, has significantly undermined food security across the country.

He added that the return of almost 3.5 million migrants from Iran and Pakistan, coupled with a broader global funding crisis, has further intensified pressure on humanitarian operations and already fragile communities.

Only 37% of the UN's humanitarian funding appeals for Afghanistan have been met, resulting in the closure of 400 health facilities and 300 feeding centers nationwide, Ratwatte noted.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed that Afghanistan is poised to remain among the largest humanitarian crises in the world in 2026, citing food insecurity, climate shocks, and the return of migrants as key factors. (QNA)