3.7 Million Afghan Children Face Acute Malnutrition, UN Warns

More than 3.7 million children in Afghanistan are facing acute malnutrition, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned on Monday, highlighting the growing severity of the country’s humanitarian crisis. In a new report, OCHA said millions of Afghan children are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2026, underscoring the urgent need for increased humanitarian assistance and nutrition support across the country. The agency said immediate funding and the rapid implementation of nutrition programmes are essential to prevent avoidable deaths and long-term health consequences among vulnerable children. According to the report, humanitarian needs remain extremely high, with hundreds of thousands of children expected to experience severe and life-threatening forms of malnutrition. OCHA also warned that approximately 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are projected to be affected by malnutrition during 2026, increasing risks for both mothers and infants. The agency called for additional international support to expand access to nutrition services, strengthen healthcare interventions and prevent further deterioration of the situation. Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that prolonged economic hardship, food insecurity and limited access to essential services continue to place millions of Afghans at risk, particularly women and children. Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies, with millions of people relying on humanitarian assistance to meet basic needs. Years of conflict, economic decline, climate-related shocks and widespread poverty have left many households unable to secure sufficient food, healthcare and livelihood opportunities. Children and women have been among the groups most affected by the crisis. Humanitarian agencies have reported increasing levels of food insecurity, malnutrition and limited access to healthcare services, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas where poverty rates remain high. The post 3.7 Million Afghan Children Face Acute Malnutrition, UN Warns appeared first on Khaama Press.