Algerian Radio
The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) has warned that approximately 3.7 million children under the age of five in Afghanistan are at an increased risk of malnutrition, according to a new report published on Sunday.
The report highlighted food and nutritional insecurity among children as one of the primary drivers of malnutrition, warning that growing food insecurity is pushing vulnerable young children into life-threatening conditions.
The crisis is compounded by multiple interrelated factors, including recurring disease outbreaks, low vaccination coverage, inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, as well as widening funding and supply gaps, the report indicated.
Furthermore, the report revealed early warning signs such as less diverse diets, skipped meals, and food intake that falls short of children's nutritional needs. "In Afghanistan, young children are increasingly at risk of malnutrition even before the peak season begins," said Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan.
The UN agency is urgently calling for increased investment to safeguard children's nutrition and prevent a further surge in malnutrition cases, emphasizing the need for early intervention to protect the most vulnerable before the situation deteriorates.
