KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – According to the report published by UNICEF, Afghanistan in 2025 remained one of the most complex humanitarian contexts in the world, with millions of children and families in urgent need of assistance.
The report highlights both the severity of ongoing challenges and the continued efforts to deliver essential services and sustain hope for the country’s most vulnerable populations.
The year 2025 marked a period of profound challenges for Afghanistan, particularly for children and women, as the country continued to face economic instability, climate shocks, and social restrictions. More than 23.2 million people, including 11.7 million children, required humanitarian assistance, reflecting the scale of the crisis.
In addition, the return of 2.8 million Afghans from neighboring countries placed further pressure on already fragile systems, especially in health, education, and social protection. Despite these hardships, UNICEF maintained a strong presence across the country, working with partners to ensure that essential services continued to reach the most vulnerable populations.
Moreover, the broader context of Afghanistan’s crisis reveals the deep structural challenges affecting the population. Decades of conflict, combined with environmental disasters such as droughts, floods, and a devastating earthquake in 2025, have significantly weakened infrastructure and livelihoods.
At the same time, restrictions on girls’ education beyond Grade 6 affected over 2.2 million girls, limiting their access to learning and future opportunities. Consequently, poverty remains widespread, with millions of families lacking access to basic services such as clean water and sanitation, further exacerbating humanitarian needs.
In response to these challenges, UNICEF significantly expanded its health interventions, recognizing that Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous places for mothers and children. For instance, the maternal mortality rate remains extremely high, and many children continue to die from preventable causes. However, through the support of more than 2,400 health facilities, UNICEF reached over 20 million people in 2025. This included providing antenatal care to 1.5 million pregnant women and ensuring that over 900,000 births were attended by skilled health workers.
Furthermore, large-scale immunization campaigns resulted in 12 million children being vaccinated against polio, demonstrating the effectiveness of coordinated public health efforts even in difficult conditions.
At the same time, nutrition remained a critical area of concern, as 90 percent of young children in Afghanistan live in food poverty and millions face severe food insecurity. In order to address this, UNICEF implemented comprehensive nutrition programs that reached 10 million women and children. For example, more than 10 million children were screened for malnutrition, while over 600,000 received life-saving treatment.
In addition, initiatives such as the First Foods program helped improve dietary practices by combining community education with direct support. These efforts highlight how integrated approaches can address both immediate and long-term nutritional challenges.
Similarly, access to clean water and sanitation continued to be a pressing issue, particularly for women and girls who often bear the burden of collecting water. Nearly one-third of the population lacks access to safe drinking water, and many communities remain without adequate sanitation facilities. In response, UNICEF constructed and rehabilitated water systems that benefited more than 2 million people.
Furthermore, thousands of communities were declared open defecation-free, improving public health conditions and reducing disease transmission. These interventions not only improved living conditions but also enhanced dignity and safety, especially for women and children.
In addition to health and basic services, education in Afghanistan faced severe disruptions, with more than half of children out of school at the primary level. The situation is particularly alarming for girls, who face systemic barriers to education. Nevertheless, UNICEF supported over 4 million children through formal and community-based education programs.
For instance, temporary learning spaces were established in disaster-affected areas, and digital platforms were used to reach children who could not attend school physically. As a result, many children who previously had no access to education were able to continue learning in safer and more supportive environments.
Meanwhile, child protection remained a central priority, as Afghan children continue to face risks such as child labor, violence, and exploitation. With one in five children engaged in labor and many lacking birth registration, the need for protective services is urgent.
UNICEF addressed these issues by strengthening community-based protection systems and providing psychosocial support to hundreds of thousands of individuals. For example, child-friendly spaces offered safe environments where children could receive counseling, play, and regain a sense of normalcy after experiencing trauma. These efforts are essential in promoting both physical and emotional well-being.
Furthermore, social protection programs played a vital role in supporting vulnerable families facing extreme poverty. Nearly 70 percent of children in Afghanistan live in multidimensional poverty, making it difficult for families to meet even their most basic needs. To address this, UNICEF provided financial assistance to over half a million people, enabling them to purchase food, clothing, and other essentials. In particular, cash transfer programs during winter and emergencies helped families survive harsh conditions and avoid negative coping strategies such as child labor.
Importantly, UNICEF placed a strong emphasis on adolescent girls, who face unique challenges due to restrictions on education and limited access to services. Through targeted interventions, including health programs and vocational training, millions of girls received support.
For instance, iron and folic acid supplementation programs reached over 2.5 million girls, addressing widespread anemia. Additionally, safe spaces and skills training initiatives empowered girls by providing them with opportunities to learn and build resilience despite ongoing barriers.
Equally significant was UNICEF’s focus on integrated programming and partnerships, which proved essential in addressing the complex needs of Afghan communities. By combining health, nutrition, education, and social protection services, UNICEF ensured more comprehensive and sustainable support.
For example, the Mother and Child Cash Transfer program linked financial assistance with access to healthcare and nutrition services, improving overall outcomes for families. Collaboration with international organizations further strengthened these efforts, enabling UNICEF to reach more people effectively.
In conclusion, the UNICEF Afghanistan Annual Report 2025 illustrates both the depth of the humanitarian crisis and the resilience of Afghan communities. Although the country continues to face significant challenges, UNICEF’s efforts demonstrate that progress is possible through coordinated, integrated, and community-based approaches. Nevertheless, sustained international support remains crucial to ensure that Afghan children and families can access essential services and build a more stable and hopeful future.
