Synopsis
The WFP warns that by 2025, 3.5 million children in Afghanistan are at risk of malnutrition. With 1.2 million mothers struggling with malnutrition, urgent nutritional support is essential. The organization highlights the severe impact on families and the need for $555 million in funding to sustain vital programs.Key Takeaways
- 3.5 million children in Afghanistan at risk of malnutrition by 2025.
- 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding mothers require urgent support.
- Nearly 15 million people need emergency food assistance.
- WFP needs $555 million to continue essential programs.
- Malnutrition causes irreversible damage to children's development.
Kabul, March 27 (NationPress) The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a grave warning that by 2025, an astounding 3.5 million children in Afghanistan will be at risk of malnutrition. The organization voiced serious concerns regarding the alarming number of children projected to be affected. Furthermore, 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are currently experiencing malnutrition and require immediate treatment and nutritional support.
“Once a child or a woman becomes malnourished, we must intervene, or they may deteriorate into severe malnutrition, which poses a life-threatening risk. The likelihood of mortality is significantly higher for moderately malnourished children – three times more than for well-nourished children,” stated Mona Shaikh, Head of Nutrition for WFP in Afghanistan.
The UN agency reported that nearly one-third of Afghanistan’s population, approximately 15 million people, are in dire need of emergency food assistance for survival. Eight out of ten households cannot afford even a minimally nutritious diet, and three out of four families find it necessary to borrow money to purchase basic groceries.
WFP has indicated that it urgently requires $555 million to sustain essential food assistance across all of its programs for the next six months. Without this additional funding, crucial initiatives aimed at supporting women, children, and families – including emergency food aid, malnutrition treatment, school feeding, and vocational training for women – are at risk in Afghanistan.
At present, WFP can only extend emergency food assistance to just over 6 million people per month from the nearly 15 million individuals in need throughout the nation.
In 2024, WFP reached nearly 10 million women and children across Afghanistan through its various activities, including the treatment of malnutrition for 1 million mothers and 1.4 million children, of which 829,000 were girls. However, significantly more action is required, as two-thirds of female-headed households in the country cannot afford essential nutrition, which is 20 percent higher than male-headed households.
“Individuals are facing an extremely challenging situation. We are witnessing an increasing number of women and children visiting clinics. Many of these mothers are quite young,” remarked Shaikh.
According to a WFP report, malnutrition inflicts irreversible damage on a child’s physical and cognitive growth, impairing immune systems, stunting growth, and hindering brain development. Malnutrition frequently begins during pregnancy, underscoring the necessity for prevention programs targeting at-risk mothers and children. Acting swiftly is the only way to prevent the long-lasting consequences of wasting on a child’s health.
“We must avert child malnutrition before it takes root. If we neglect to act, we doom countless children to a lifetime of hardship. WFP possesses the knowledge and resources to halt malnutrition in its tracks—what is required is investment and political resolve,” asserted Cindy McCain, WFP Executive Director.
