Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – More than half a million people in Afghanistan have been displaced by climate-related disasters in 2024, according to a report released Tuesday by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The report highlights the devastating impact of extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, and storms, on one of the world’s poorest and most climate-vulnerable nations.
The IOM report states that nearly 9 million Afghans were affected by climate hazards over the past year, with over 500,000 forced to flee their homes. Approximately three in five displaced individuals relocated within their province of origin, with western provinces like Herat and Farah among the hardest hit. This week alone, 39 people were killed by floods, hail, and storms in southwestern Afghanistan, primarily in Farah, according to local authorities.
Afghanistan, ravaged by decades of war, is ranked as the sixth most vulnerable country to climate change. The nation faces a range of environmental threats, including drought, floods, land degradation, and declining agricultural productivity. These challenges are exacerbated by the country’s heavy reliance on subsistence farming, which accounts for 73 percent of jobs, according to the IOM.
Last May, flash floods killed hundreds and submerged vast areas of agricultural land, further crippling a population where 80 percent depend on farming for survival. The IOM warns that over 11 million Afghans are at high risk of severe impacts from future climate-induced disasters.
The report also underscores Afghanistan’s lack of preparedness for climate disasters. An estimated 92 percent of villages have limited access to emergency services, while 96 percent lack resources for critical measures like early warning systems and search-and-rescue operations. This lack of infrastructure leaves millions vulnerable to the escalating impacts of climate change.
The IOM’s findings highlight the urgent need for international support to address Afghanistan’s climate crisis. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, the country’s fragile economy and infrastructure are increasingly unable to cope. Without immediate action, the displacement and devastation caused by climate disasters are likely to worsen, further destabilizing a nation already grappling with poverty, conflict, and political instability.
For the people of Afghanistan, the climate crisis is not a distant threat but a daily reality, compounding the challenges of rebuilding and recovery in a country long plagued by hardship.
