Shelter Crisis in Afghanistan; 4 Million People in Urgent Need of Assistance in 2026
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (United Nations Human Settlements Programme / UN-Habitat) in Afghanistan has announced that 4.2 million people will require adequate shelter and non-food items in 2026.
Istiqamat Press – the organization said on Sunday (February 15) that shelter is the first step toward stability and a secure future, warning that addressing the crisis must not be delayed.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also cautioned that multiple factors—including recurring natural disasters, the large-scale return of migrants, and worsening economic challenges—have significantly increased the vulnerability of families across the country.
OCHA plans to support 881,000 of the most vulnerable people this year through emergency shelter assistance, non-food items, winter aid, and the repair of damaged homes. The operation will be implemented across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan.
More than $160 million in funding is required to achieve these objectives.
Years of war, insecurity, and weak governance structures have severely hindered the housing and reconstruction sectors, leaving millions of Afghans in a critical shelter situation.
