Unrelenting upward trend of child malnourishment in Afghanistan, as stated by United Nations agency
In Afghanistan, a worsening child malnutrition crisis is on the rise, affecting millions of children and putting their lives at risk. The increase in child malnutrition is attributed to a significant decline in emergency food assistance over the past two years, ongoing acute food insecurity, and the country's broader economic and humanitarian crisis.
According to recent reports, more than 3.5 million children in Afghanistan are facing acute malnutrition, including 1.4 million with severe acute malnutrition (SAM), marking the sharpest surge ever recorded. One in three children in the country is stunted due to malnutrition, a form of chronic malnutrition.
The causes of this crisis are manifold. Drastic reductions in emergency food aid in recent years have critically worsened the nutritional situation. Widespread food insecurity, with about 10 million people (25% of the population) facing acute food shortages, further exacerbates the problem. Limited access to healthcare, clean water, and adequate nutrition practices in many areas also contributes to the high rates of child malnutrition.
The effects of this crisis are profound. High rates of stunting, a form of chronic malnutrition causing impaired growth, are prevalent among one-third of children. Elevated levels of severe acute malnutrition, which can be fatal without timely treatment, are also a concern. The negative impacts on children's physical and cognitive development, leading to long-term health and social consequences, are a significant concern. Additionally, the strain on healthcare systems due to complications arising from malnutrition is a pressing issue.
To address this crisis, an urgent scale-up of emergency food assistance and nutrition programs is critical to reverse these trends. Support for community-led, low-cost nutrition interventions such as food demonstrations and education for mothers on child feeding practices shows promise and needs expansion. Resources for healthcare services including vaccination, outpatient care, midwifery, mental health support, and specialized treatment for severe malnutrition cases remain vital. Funding is also needed to cover transportation and follow-up care for children with complicated malnutrition cases to improve treatment outcomes.
The World Food Programme (WFP) needs $539 million through January to help vulnerable families across Afghanistan. However, the WFP does not have sufficient funding to cover the returnee response at this time and requires $15 million to assist all eligible returnees from Iran. The US was the largest funder of the WFP, providing $4.5 billion of the $9.8 billion in donations last year. In April, the administration of US President Donald Trump cut off food aid to Afghanistan.
In conclusion, Afghanistan faces a worsening child malnutrition crisis driven by food insecurity and reduced aid, resulting in millions of children suffering or at risk. Addressing this requires immediate and sustained funding to restore emergency food assistance and strengthen nutrition and health services nationwide.
- The World Food Programme (WFP) needs $539 million through January to improve food security for vulnerable families in Afghanistan.
- An urgent scale-up of emergency food assistance and nutrition programs is crucial to reverse the rising trend of child malnutrition in the world.
- The economic and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has led to a significant decline in emergency food assistance, contributing to the child malnutrition crisis.
- Environmental science highlights the importance of nutrition and its impact on food-and-drink habits, which can help tackle malnutrition issues in the country.
- The environmental-science field offers insights into sustainable agriculture and climate-change adaptation strategies that can help combat food insecurity and malnutrition.
- Encouraging healthy lifestyles through health-and-wellness practices, such as proper nutrition and clean drinking water access, can play a vital role in reducing malnutrition rates in Afghanistan.
