The IPC current post harvest analysis shows a slight improvement in the food security situation in the country compared to the pre-harvest IPC acute analysis of 2016. 

• Out of 34 provinces, 11 are classified in IPC Phase 2 (Stressed), other 22 were classified in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and only one province, Badghis, is classified in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). 
• Out of 22 provinces classified in IPC Phase 3 (Emergency), provinces with higher number of people in Phase 4 are: Badghis (25%), Faryab (16%), Khost (15%), Bamyan (14%), Ghor (12%) and Kandahar (11%).

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), communities hosting returnees, returnees, refugees, households headed by women, relying on labour income, and those who are landless are most vulnerable and worst affected by food insecurity. Food security assessment by OCHA and the Food Security and Agriculture cluster show high levels of food insecurity in these group crossing emergency thresholds. 

Conflicts, natural disasters, huge influx of returnees and in some areas IDPs, unsustainable livelihoods, poor infrastructure, reduced  employment and income which affects household purchasing power, lack of access and poor utilization of food and under development as a whole are the major drivers of food insecurity in Afghanistan.

Limited resilience to conflicts and shocks are major consequences that further aggravate the food insecurity situation. Asset depletion is on the rise resulting in high concentration of people in phase 2 and 3. This is a dangerous sign which can enhance migration and food insecurity so more attention is required to protect and rehabilitate the livelihoods of affected people.

In some areas, Chronic Food Insecurity is also crossing or about to cross emergency thresholds of food insecurity. 

• Government and partners should intensify the focus on increasing the capacity of populations affected by recurrent hazards to avert upcoming shocks and stresses. Moreover, they must further articulate policies that look to synchronize humanitarian emergency assistance and longer-term development to break the poverty cycle.
  
  
• Contain asset depletion by all possible means as the continued conflict and income shocks asset depletion is getting higher and higher as a coping strategy. Emergency food security and livelihoods assistance can help to protect household assets.
  
  
• While mass repatriation from Pakistan must be accompanied with effective government policies that facilitate the returnees' reinsertion and help lessen liabilities of host communities, it should not distract from the continuing needs of those who are increasingly leaving homes and assets in all parts of Afghanistan so that they can save their own and children’s lives.
  
  
• Reduced precipitation, continued conflict and crop pest attack are also major factors contributing to food insecurity. Introduction of drought resilient crop varieties and timely monitoring and control on crop pest attack can contribute to food security for the most vulnerable farmers.
  
  
• It is important that stakeholders recognize the complexity of the contexts in which diverse populations are facing food insecurity in Afghanistan, and continue to develop strategies that are appropriate and effective depending on context and populations.
  
  
• 46% population faced some type of shocks with highest percentage of people facing loss of employment (26.6%) and reduces income (12.6%). Urban markets are saturated with labor and labor availability and wage rates are affected significantly. Early recovery and creating job opportunities which contributes to reduce the crisis situation is recommended.
  
  
• Livestock distress sale is increasing because of the livestock diseases and low availability of the fodder. Climate change has a major impact on range land decreasing livestock productivity.
  
  
• Reduce risk of natural hazards, by applying interagency joint DRR projects to natural disaster prone areas.
  
  
• Establish a clear interagency policy and strategy for IDPs, returnees and refugees.
  
  
• Monitoring the food assistance and track out the impacts on food security situation.