Afghanistan Peace Campaign
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that worsening climate-related shocks in Afghanistan are making living conditions increasingly difficult for children and heightening the risk of malnutrition across the country.
UNICEF said prolonged droughts, water shortages, extreme heat and severe weather events are reducing families’ ability to secure adequate food and clean water, placing additional pressure on vulnerable communities. The agency also warned that limited healthcare access and insufficient vaccination coverage are increasing the risks of disease and nutrition-related illnesses among children.
The warning comes as humanitarian agencies continue to report growing climate-related challenges across Afghanistan. Years of recurring drought, destructive floods and rising temperatures have damaged livelihoods, reduced agricultural production and weakened food security for millions of people.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recently estimated that around 16 million people across Afghanistan could require access to safe drinking water and sanitation services in 2026. OCHA has warned that worsening water scarcity is increasing health risks, particularly for children and other vulnerable groups.
International aid organizations have repeatedly identified Afghanistan as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental shocks have compounded the effects of poverty, economic hardship and humanitarian needs throughout the country.
Humanitarian agencies say children are among the hardest hit by the crisis, facing increased risks of malnutrition, waterborne diseases and disrupted access to education and healthcare. UNICEF called for greater investment in climate resilience, health services and nutrition programs to protect vulnerable families and reduce the long-term impact of climate-related emergencies on Afghanistan’s children.