Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) 2026
UNICEF appeals for US$ 950 million to meet the humanitarian and basic needs of 12 million people in Afghanistan.
About
People in Afghanistan continue to face an array of interconnected crises – natural disasters, a shrinking protection space, fragile economy, limited access to basic services and climate-induced shocks – all preventing recovery from more than four decades of conflict. In 2026, an estimated 21.9 million people, including 11.6 million children, will require humanitarian assistance.
The protection crisis is deepening, with women of reproductive age, children, youth and marginalized groups facing escalating risks. As conditions worsen, UNICEF’s continued presence is vital to deliver essential services and safeguard the most vulnerable.
Afghan women and girls face a systemic rights crisis. Bans on secondary education and workforce participation, coupled with restrictive daily-life rules, have escalated protection risks and threaten long-term resilience. The impacts will be felt for generations to come.
Chronic underinvestment in the WASH sector – compounded by relentless climate shocks – has intensified humanitarian needs and weakened community resilience.
UNICEF urgently requires $949.1 million to reach 12 million people, including 6.5 million children, with life-saving aid and basic services. This investment will address immediate humanitarian needs and strengthen long-term community resilience. This support is critical to ensuring every child in Afghanistan has the chance to survive and thrive.
Download the full appeal to find out more about UNICEF’s work and targets in Afghanistan.
