Almost 5 million people in Afghanistan are at risk of famine.

Omissions

• The MEP did not cite a specific source for the figure, though it closely matches the IPC analysis published in December 2025.
• The claim uses the phrase 'at risk of famine' which in IPC technical terminology corresponds to Phase 4 (Emergency), one step below Phase 5 (Famine/Catastrophe). The distinction between Emergency and Famine is meaningful in humanitarian response planning.
• No specific time period was stated; the IPC data covers the period September 2025 to September 2026, which is relevant as of the session date of May 2026.
• The broader context is that a much larger population — 17.4 million people (36% of Afghanistan's population) — faces IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or worse levels of acute food insecurity.

Sources

• PrimaryIPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification)Roughly 4.7 million people (10 percent of the population) are likely experiencing IPC Phase 4 (Emergency), and 12.7 million people (26 percent) are in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis). An estimated 17.4 million people (36 percent of the population) are expected to be facing IPC Phase 3 or above.
• PrimaryFAO Knowledge Repository — 2026 Global Report on Food CrisesThe number of people in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) in Afghanistan: 4.7 million in 2023, 4.8 million in 2024 and 4.3 million in 2025.
• SecondaryReliefWeb (hosting IPC report summary)An estimated 17.4 million people (36 percent of the population), are expected to be facing IPC Phase 3 or above, including 4.7 million people experiencing Emergency (IPC Phase 4).