WFP warns of deepening crisis in Afghanistan as insecurity flares on eastern, southern and western border

Mar 03, 2026

Emergency Response

WFP warns of deepening crisis in Afghanistan as insecurity flares on eastern, southern and western border

This is a summary of what was said by John Aylieff, WFP Afghanistan Representative and Country Director (speaking from Bangkok via Zoom) – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

GENEVA – Afghanistan is seeing an escalation of insecurity on its borders— increased fighting on the eastern and southern frontier with Pakistan, and ongoing violence in Iran. This renewed fighting is putting immense pressure on communities already vulnerable and worn down by years of crisis, conflict and chaos.

Let me begin with the eastern and southern border.

Afghanistan shares an approximately 2,400kilometre border with Pakistan, touching nearly one third of its provinces. Since 26 February, violence has escalated across the Durand Line, triggering displacement of approximately 20,000 families across the Eastern, Southeastern and Southern regions. Cross border violence and air and ground strikes have affected more than 46 districts in Nangarhar, Nuristan, Kunar, Laghman, Paktika, Paktya, Khost, Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul provinces.

Across these provinces, WFP has been forced to temporarily suspend emergency, social protection, school feeding and livelihood activities. Approximately 160,000 people have been impacted by the suspension of emergency food distributions.