KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – At least 26 children have died from malnutrition in Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province over the past six months, according to health sources.
The provincial hospital in Badakhshan recorded 326 cases of severe malnutrition in children during this period. However, these figures only account for cases treated at the provincial hospital and do not include data from district health centers.
Afghanistan has been spiraling into a deepening humanitarian crisis since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, which led to the collapse of the Western-backed government.
The country’s economy has plummeted, leaving millions without access to basic necessities. This has disproportionately affected children, who are among the most vulnerable.
UNICEF estimates that 2.9 million Afghan children will suffer from acute malnutrition this year. Among them, 850,000 face severe acute malnutrition, a life-threatening condition that demands urgent intervention.
Widespread poverty, food insecurity, and inadequate healthcare have exacerbated the situation, leading to rising cases of malnutrition and related illnesses like diarrhea, especially in children under five.
The crisis has been further aggravated by frequent natural disasters. Earthquakes, heavy rains, floods, and landslides have wreaked havoc on the country, causing significant financial losses and adding to the human toll. These disasters have only worsened the living conditions of an already impoverished population.
Compounding the problem is a severe shortage of international aid. In the three years since the Taliban regained power, humanitarian assistance has dwindled dramatically. The UN’s $3.07 billion humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan remains critically underfunded, with only 25% of the needed funds secured. This shortfall has forced many aid organizations to scale back or halt their operations, putting further strain on the fragile healthcare system.
Recently, the European Union pledged €13 million to address malnutrition and support education in Afghanistan. However, the scale of the crisis far exceeds the available resources. Without sustained international support, the situation is expected to deteriorate further.
As Afghanistan faces one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, the impact on children is devastating. Malnutrition rates continue to rise, with dire consequences for the country’s future.
Save the Children has reported that over 6 million Afghan children—nearly six out of ten—will experience crisis or emergency levels of hunger this year. The organization also projects that nearly 3 million children under the age of five will suffer from acute malnutrition in 2024.