More than half a million people in Afghanistan were displaced by climate-related disasters in 2024, according to a report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) published on Tuesday.

"Nearly nine million people were affected by climate hazards over the past year, with over 500,000 forced to relocate due to floods, droughts, and other environmental disasters," the report stated.

Approximately 60% of those displaced remained within their home provinces, with western Herat and Farah among the worst-affected regions, the IOM noted.

This week alone, severe floods, hailstorms, and strong winds killed at least 39 people in southwestern Afghanistan, particularly in Farah, according to local authorities.

Afghanistan, one of the world's poorest nations after decades of conflict, ranks as the sixth most vulnerable country to climate change. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events poses a serious threat to its population.

Droughts, floods, land degradation, and declining agricultural productivity are among the most pressing concerns, according to the United Nations. In May 2023, devastating flash floods killed hundreds and submerged vast agricultural lands in a country where 80% of the population relies on farming for survival.

"Over 11 million people in Afghanistan are at high risk of severe impacts from climate-induced disasters in the coming years," the IOM warned.

The report also highlighted Afghanistan’s economic vulnerability, noting that 73% of jobs are tied to climate-sensitive sectors like subsistence farming. Moreover, "92% of villages have limited access to emergency services," and "96% lack resources for essential measures such as early warning systems and search-and-rescue operations," the UN agency added.