UNICEF Warns of Severe Child Malnutrition Crisis in Afghanistan

Kabul: UNICEF has issued a grave warning about one of the world’s most severe child malnutrition crises unfolding in Afghanistan. Approximately 3.7 million Afghan children suffer from severe malnutrition every year, local media reported on Wednesday.

During the launch of new guidelines for malnutrition prevention and treatment on Tuesday, Tajuddin Oyewale, UNICEF’s representative in Afghanistan, expressed deep concern over the situation. According to Khaama Press, he stressed the urgent need for immediate and effective measures to save children’s lives.

UNICEF reports that the malnutrition crisis in Afghanistan has worsened steadily since 2021, driven by economic decline, drought, and insufficient humanitarian funding.

The World Food Programme (WFP) states that over 90 percent of Afghan families cannot afford adequate food. This food insecurity is causing widespread hunger and nutritional deficiencies among children, risking permanent damage to their physical and mental development.

The newly issued UNICEF guidelines introduce significant changes in the treatment and prevention of malnutrition. They place special emphasis on life-saving interventions for the most severe cases and include specific care instructions for infants under six months, marking a critical step toward reducing child malnutrition.

UNICEF hopes these revised guidelines will improve treatment outcomes and help save the lives of children battling malnutrition in Afghanistan.

Poverty, food insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and poor maternal nutrition are key factors contributing to child malnutrition in Afghanistan. Conditions are particularly dire in rural areas, where food shortages are severe and medical facilities are scarce. Additionally, ongoing restrictions on female health workers have further hindered access to treatment.

Alongside the malnutrition crisis, UNICEF revealed that over 90 percent of children aged 10 and above in Afghanistan cannot read a simple text. The organisation warned that the country’s education system is in serious jeopardy, leaving many children deprived of basic education.

According to a joint UNICEF-UNESCO report cited by Khaama Press, nearly 2.2 million adolescent girls are unable to attend school. Since the Taliban took power on 15 August 2021, school closures, a shortage of qualified teachers, and curriculum restrictions have severely impacted education.

UNICEF emphasised the urgent need for sustained investment in early education, literacy, and numeracy skills to address the crisis. The organisation cautioned that without timely reforms, malnutrition and illiteracy will deepen further in the coming years.