Afghanistan Peace CampaignThe UN agency also stated that it needs $555 million over the next six months to safeguard life-saving food assistance across its programs.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has predicted that 3.5 million children in Afghanistan will suffer from malnutrition in 2025.
The UN agency also stated that it needs $555 million over the next six months to safeguard life-saving food assistance across its programs.
According to WFP data, currently 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in Afghanistan are suffering from malnutrition and urgently need treatment and nutritional support.
Mona Shaikh, head of nutrition for the World Food Programme (WFP) in Afghanistan, said: “In 2025, 3.5 million young children in Afghanistan are expected to be malnourished. This is huge. We haven’t seen anything like that in the last four years.”
Abdul Qadir, whose two daughters have been suffering from malnutrition for nearly six months, said he has taken them to the hospital several times but cannot afford treatment due to poverty and unemployment.
“Our economic situation is weak. I push a cart for a living. I can’t afford to treat my daughters. I ask the government and the Red Cross to help treat them,” Abdul Qadir told TOLOnews.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy has called for international support for Afghanistan’s economy.
Abdul Rahman Habib, spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy, said: “There is a need for joint efforts by internal institutions and continued support from the international community, especially in child nutrition. Supporting the agriculture sector and creating job opportunities can strengthen household economies and help reduce food insecurity.”
“It is the responsibility of the international community, especially the World Health Organization, to consider various ways to assist countries with poor economies and ultimately provide support,” said Nabi Afghan, an economic analyst.
Earlier, Save the Children had stated that due to reduced foreign aid, it had suspended life-saving programs for children suffering from malnutrition in Afghanistan.