Kabul, Jan 29 (NationPress) The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has forecasted that 14.4 million individuals in Afghanistan will require health services by the year 2026, as reported by local media on Thursday.

Of these individuals, it is anticipated that only 7.2 million will be reached through existing programs, according to an OCHA statement. The report highlights that 54% of those in need are children, 24% are women, and 10% are persons with disabilities, as per Afghanistan's leading news agency, Khaama Press. The OCHA emphasized that over USD 190 million will be necessary to meet these health needs.

The organization pointed out that Afghanistan continues to face the world's most significant humanitarian crisis in 2026, with approximately 22 million people dependent on humanitarian aid. International organizations and NGOs are intensifying efforts to provide vaccinations, maternal health care, and emergency medical services throughout Afghanistan.

In a related development, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) indicated on Tuesday that Afghanistan is grappling with one of the most severe child malnutrition crises, affecting around 3.7 million children who experience acute malnutrition annually, as reported by local media.

UNICEF's representative in Afghanistan, Tajudeen Oyewale, emphasized the urgency of addressing this crisis during the unveiling of malnutrition prevention and treatment guidelines on Tuesday, according to Khaama Press.

The malnutrition situation in Afghanistan has worsened since 2021, attributed to economic collapse, drought, and a lack of humanitarian funding.

According to the World Food Programme, over 90% of Afghan households struggle to afford adequate food, leading to potential permanent developmental damage in children due to malnutrition.

The updated guidelines propose significant revisions in the treatment and prevention methods, placing greater emphasis on life-saving interventions for the most critical malnutrition cases. These guidelines have also included care protocols for infants under six months, marking a vital step towards alleviating child malnutrition. UNICEF hopes these revised guidelines will enhance treatment outcomes and save the lives of children in Afghanistan amid the ongoing crisis.

Several factors contribute to malnutrition among children in Afghanistan, including poverty, food insecurity, limited healthcare access, and inadequate maternal nutrition. Rural areas are especially hard-hit as families face food shortages and lack access to medical facilities, compounded by ongoing restrictions on women healthcare workers that further hinder treatment access.