UNICEF: Nearly 900,000 children in Afghanistan suffer from fatal malnutrition

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned about the impact of climate change on children’s food security in Afghanistan.

UNICEF estimates that currently, over 875,000 children under five in Afghanistan suffer from severe acute malnutrition, which can be fatal.

The UN-affiliated relief agency reported that flood-inducing rains in April have caused residents in flood-affected areas to lose everything.

UNICEF adds that lack of food and clean drinking water are factors causing children to fall ill, with most lacking access to medical facilities.

Despite having one of the lowest pollution levels globally, Afghanistan ranks seventh among the most vulnerable countries to climate change impacts.

The UN organization states that in a country where 80% of the population depends on agriculture, recurrent natural disasters directly affect family nutrition, particularly in rural areas.

Meanwhile, forced deportations have added to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, exacerbating food insecurity and displacing vulnerable families. The abrupt displacement disrupts livelihoods and exacerbates already fragile food security conditions.

The health and lives of women and children in Afghanistan have been severely impacted by recent floods and other natural disasters.

Displacement and damage to food sources have heightened food insecurity, leading to increased malnutrition rates among children and maternal health risks due to limited access to adequate healthcare and nutrition.

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