Afghanistan Peace CampaignThe United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced that over 19 million people in Afghanistan benefited from the organization’s humanitarian aid last year, with more than half of them being children.
Tajuddeen Oyewale, the head of UNICEF’s office in Kabul, announced on Sunday, February 23 that in 2024, approximately 23.7 million people in Afghanistan, including 12.6 million children, would require humanitarian assistance due to issues such as prolonged conflicts, the return of Afghan migrants from Pakistan, climate change, and the economic crisis.
The report also mentioned that UNICEF provided vital medical services to 628,000 children under the age of five suffering from severe malnutrition, resulting in an 80% improvement in their conditions.
UNICEF emphasized that the restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan have exacerbated humanitarian challenges. The organization warned that excluding women from various aspects of life, including education and the labor market, has not only worsened the economic crisis but also increased social and security risks.
Despite ongoing needs, international aid to Afghanistan has decreased, raising concerns about the continuation of humanitarian programs in the country.
UNICEF’s report highlights the critical and growing humanitarian needs in Afghanistan, especially among children, and underscores the challenges faced by international aid organizations. With continued restrictions and a decline in global funding, the future of humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan remains uncertain, and further support from the international community is urgently needed.