Theories of Change for WFP Afghanistan’s Contribution to the Triple Nexus: Policy Note

The World Food Programme (WFP) has been a key humanitarian force in Afghanistan since 1963 and remains the largest agency in the Humanitarian Response Plan for Afghanistan. Whilst its focus has primarily been its humanitarian mandate, prior to the Taliban takeover, WFP had been working to see how its strategic outcomes in the 2018 Country Strategic Plan (CSP) were aligned with viable peace and development efforts nationally. The Taliban takeover has accelerated an already deteriorating humanitarian crisis. Drought in 2021 had left many in the west of the country in need of humanitarian assistance. The collapse of international support, and the freezing of the banking system and assets held overseas has exacerbated already very high levels of poverty and threatened the price of staples in the market. This has necessarily focused all external efforts on the humanitarian response. Despite the severity of the humanitarian situation, WFP is keen not to entirely neglect development and peace aspects, knowing that both are essential to the future of Afghanistan. This short note sets out the likely medium-term policy framework and some considerations for WFP in navigating this. This Policy Note should be read in conjunction with the longer document Theories of Change for WFP Afghanistan’s Contribution to the Triple Nexus: Final Report (Sida and Nelis 2022).