KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – More than 11.6 million children in Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance this year, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Monday, as conflict, economic hardship, and natural disasters continue to deepen the country’s crisis.
In its latest situation report, UNICEF said nearly 21.9 million people — close to half of Afghanistan’s population — are expected to need humanitarian support in 2026. Children remain one of the most vulnerable groups, facing acute malnutrition, disease outbreaks, protection risks, and severely limited access to education and basic healthcare.
According to the report, around 942,000 children under the age of five are projected to require treatment for severe acute malnutrition in 2026 amid worsening food insecurity and limited access to healthcare services in many parts of the country.
UNICEF said an estimated 7.1 million children require emergency education assistance, including approximately 900,000 recently returned children who are struggling with overcrowded classrooms, shortages of teachers and learning materials, and language barriers.
UNICEF also said the humanitarian situation deteriorated further in March following continued cross-border hostilities with Pakistan. The escalation entered its fourth consecutive week by the end of March with no signs of de-escalation, the report said. Border crossings remained closed, disrupting supply chains, delaying humanitarian cargo, and contributing to higher food prices in local markets.
Recurring natural disasters have compounded the difficulties. Heavy rainfall and flash floods through late March struck 31 provinces, affecting around 73,300 people. At least 93 people were killed and 181 were injured, while homes, roads, farmland, and public infrastructure suffered extensive damage.
The agency noted that the systematic exclusion of women and girls from public life has further deepened vulnerabilities and restricted millions from accessing essential services.
Afghanistan’s crisis has also been aggravated by recent earthquakes, large-scale returns of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries, and a sharp decline in international assistance.
UNICEF has appealed for nearly $1 billion to fund its humanitarian operations in Afghanistan in 2026. UNICEF said it has so far received just over $7.3 million in new funding, along with around $381 million in carry-forward funds, leaving a funding gap of more than $548 million.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has separately appealed for $1.72 billion to assist 17.5 million people identified as priorities for humanitarian support in Afghanistan this year.
Aid organizations have repeatedly warned that severe funding shortfalls, particularly following cuts in U.S. assistance, are undermining relief operations and limiting the delivery of food, shelter, and healthcare services to millions of people across the country.
Humanitarian agencies continue to call for immediate and sustained international support to prevent further deterioration in conditions, particularly for women and children.
