UNICEF Warns of Worsening Child Malnutrition in Afghanistan as Climate Crisis Deepens

DID Press: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that 3.7 million children in Afghanistan are suffering from acute malnutrition, with a further 1.65 million facing critical conditions, as climate change continues to worsen food insecurity across the country.

Daniel Tiem, a UNICEF official, said climate-related challenges, including drought, the drying up of water sources and the destruction of orchards, were seriously threatening the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable children and families.

UNICEF noted that although Afghanistan contributes very little to global greenhouse gas emissions, it is disproportionately affected by the consequences of climate change.

The agency and its partners are working to ensure that affected children receive essential health and nutrition services. However, UNICEF warned that without urgent and sustained funding, the acute malnutrition crisis in Afghanistan could deteriorate further.

The organisation has called for additional financial resources to continue distributing therapeutic food, providing healthcare and nutrition services, ensuring access to safe drinking water and sanitation, and supporting the livelihoods of vulnerable families.

The appeal comes as world leaders gather for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), where UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on governments to tax the record profits of major oil companies and use the proceeds to support climate-vulnerable countries.

Guterres said nine of the world’s largest oil companies were on track to make $95 billion in profits in just three months, arguing that those responsible for pollution should bear the cost of the environmental damage they cause.

“Polluters must pay,” he said, urging governments to tax these windfall profits and direct the revenue towards helping vulnerable countries recover from climate-related losses and damage.