Kabul, 5 October 2023 (TDI): On Monday, the World Food Program (WFP) addressed Nutrition Crisis in Afghanistan via social media highlighting that over 1 million mothers and children in the country have been left without vital nutrition assistance.
In a dire humanitarian situation, Afghan women bear the brunt of assistance cuts, warned WFP. Despite the escalating crisis, only 3 million out of the 6 million people in need received vital aid in August.
The funding shortfall has severely limited WFP’s ability to provide life-saving food, cash, nutrition, and livelihood support, leaving countless vulnerable individuals without essential assistance.
The World Food Program (WFP) highlighted the disproportionate impact of assistance cuts in Afghanistan, with women bearing the heaviest burden.
Despite the urgent need, the WFP’s ability to provide life-saving food and support has been severely constrained by a funding crisis, as evident from the organization’s post in late September.
In the face of a deepening food crisis, Afghanistan is witnessing a sharp increase in malnutrition rates, particularly among women and children.
Alarmingly, the region already grapples with the highest global prevalence of malnutrition, encompassing childhood wasting, stunting, and micronutrient deficiencies.
Southeast and South Asia bear a heavy burden, accounting for 65 percent of the world’s wasted children, 47 percent of stunted children, 51 percent of anemic women of reproductive age, and 55 percent of low childbirth cases.
The situation is further aggravated by reduced access to crucial health and nutrition services, raising concerns about a surge in malnourished individuals.
Afghanistan grapples with overwhelming poverty, with nearly 90% of its population teetering on the edge, as stated by Fran Equiza, the UNICEF Representative in the country. Children, in particular, are bearing the heaviest burden of this crisis. UNICEF is deeply concerned about the welfare of Afghan children in this challenging environment.
Also Read: UN Agencies launch Humanitarian Appeal for Afghanistan
In a stark humanitarian crisis, 2.3 million Afghan children are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition this year, with 875,000 requiring urgent treatment for severe acute malnutrition—a life-threatening condition.
Additionally, approximately 840,000 pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are at risk of acute malnutrition, endangering their ability to provide their infants with essential nutrition. Despite reduced conflict, UNICEF representative Equiza lamented ongoing violations of children’s rights, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action
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