Archive · 29 Jan 2026
UNICEF Warns of Severe Child Malnutrition in Afghanistan
UNICEF says that in Afghanistan, 3.7 million children suffer from severe hunger every year.
This is because many families cannot afford enough food due to economic problems, drought, and lack of help from other countries.
The situation has gotten worse since 2021.
Children are not growing properly, and many cannot even read simple words.
Schools are also struggling because there are not enough teachers, and many girls cannot go to school.
UNICEF has made new rules to help treat and prevent hunger in children, but they say more needs to be done to fix these problems.
3.7 million Afghan children face acute malnutrition annually, with 90% of households unable to afford sufficient food.
The malnutrition crisis has worsened since 2021 due to economic collapse, drought, and humanitarian funding shortages.
UNICEF launched updated guidelines for malnutrition prevention and treatment, focusing on life-saving interventions for severe cases.
Over 90% of 10-year-old Afghan children cannot read a simple text, reflecting a severe educational crisis.
Approximately 2.2 million adolescent girls lack access to education due to school closures, teacher shortages, and curriculum limitations.
- Who
- UNICEF, World Food Programme, Afghan children, and households
- What
- Severe child malnutrition crisis and educational decline in Afghanistan
- When
- Annually, with a significant deterioration since 2021
- Where
- Afghanistan, particularly rural regions
- Why
- Due to economic collapse, drought, humanitarian funding shortages, poverty, food insecurity, limited healthcare access, and restrictions on women's healthcare workers
- Number of children affected annually
- 3.7 million
- Percentage of households unable to buy sufficient food
- 90%
- Percentage of 10-year-olds unable to read a simple text
- 90%
- Number of adolescent girls without school access
- 2.2 million
- Year of Taliban takeover
- 2021
