Afghanistan: Quarterly Markets Overview – Spotlight on Affordability, Accessibility and Availability (April 2026)

Country: Afghanistan Source: REACH Initiative Please refer to the attached file. Context & Rationale Afghanistan continues to face compounded pressures driven by long-standing structural internal challenges, now intensified by the recent escalation of regional conflict and its spillover effects. A sharp reduction in foreign aid, rising regional tensions, and repeated natural disasters (the country is prone to earthquakes, flooding, drought, landslides, and avalanches) have compounded existing vulnerabilities. At the same time, large-scale population movements have added further strain, with nearly 2. 61 million Afghans returning from Iran and Pakistan since 2025. These developments have placed additional pressure on already limited services, livelihood opportunities, and local systems, particularly in areas hosting high numbers of returnees. While the full impact is still unfolding, early signs point to increasing strain on household’s ability to meet basic needs across both urban and rural areas. This report is part of a quarterly series that alternates focus between (1) affordability and access to essential goods, and (2) market functionality and supply resilience. This overview focuses on the affordability, accessibility, and availability of key commodities, with particular emphasis on the cost of the Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB). Drawing on JMMI, Whole of Afghanistan Assessment (WoAA), and Humanitarian Situation Monitoring (HSM) data, and triangulated with secondary sources, the brief assesses household’s ability to access markets and meet basic needs across population groups.

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