# Acute Hunger in Afghanistan Reaches Record Levels > Afghanistan's hunger crisis hits 15.9m people with food insecurity worsening by winter. - Title: Acute Hunger in Afghanistan Reaches Record Levels · Dawn - Summary: Afghanistan's hunger crisis hits 15.9m people with food insecurity worsening by winter. Afghanistan's acute hunger reaches 15.9 million people with… - Keywords: afghanistan, hunger, food insecurity, wfp, fao, taliban, human rights, news, politics, Acute, Reaches, Record - Source: Dawn — https://dawn.com/news/2037406/acute-hunger-in-afghanistan-reaches-highest-levels-ever-recorded-monitor - Author: AFP - Published: 2026-10-15T19:03:29+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: afghanistan, hunger, food insecurity, un, wfp, fao, taliban, human rights, news, politics ## Hunger Crisis Acute malnutrition and hunger in Afghanistan have reached the highest levels ever recorded. > 15.9 million people facing acute food insecurity ## Record Levels 15.9 million people face acute food insecurity with conditions set to worsen in coming months. > 32 percent of population facing crisis-level acute food insecurity ## Winter Impact Hunger levels expected to worsen from November to April with 19.2m people projected to face phase three or above. > 5 million people in emergency food insecurity conditions ## Child Hunger 4.04 million children under five projected to need malnutrition treatment between January and December 2027. > 4.04m children under five need treatment ## Human Rights Erosion UNAMA reported continued erosion of basic human rights between July and September 2026. > 443 cases and 97 incidents of ill-treatment by virtue and vice inspectors ## Education Restrictions Girls barred from formal education beyond grade six with Taliban citing Sharia law concerns. > Taliban spokesperson said problems must be taken into account from sharia law perspective ## Hijab Violations UNAMA documented 50 cases related to hijab violations mostly in Herat and Kabul. > 13-year-old girl held overnight for hijab violation ## Health Access Women blocked from entering health clinics and markets without mehram. > Women blocked from health clinics and markets without mehram ## Public Lashings 22 men and six women publicly flogged on charges including theft and adultery. > Public lashings of 22 men and six women ## Arrests 14 former security force members arrested with at least four killed. > Arrest of 14 former security force members ## Journalist Detention Journalist arrested in July 2025 remains in custody without conviction. > Journalist arrested in july 2025 remains in custody without conviction ## Demonstration Ban New police law published in August bans all public demonstrations. > New police law published in august bans all demonstrations ## WFP Appeal World Food Programme calls for urgent funding to scale up food assistance and malnutrition treatment. > We still have a window to act, but it is closing fast ## FAO Response Food and Agriculture Organisation urges opportunities for dependable income to withstand next shock. > Families need opportunities to earn a dependable living ## Key takeaway Afghanistan's acute hunger reaches 15.9 million people with conditions expected to worsen through winter.