UN Official: Political and Environmental Factors Are Driving Child Deaths in Afghanistan

DID Press: Around 3.7 million children in Afghanistan are suffering from acute malnutrition, including nearly 1 million facing severe and life-threatening malnutrition, according to Melissa Fleming, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications.

Fleming said cuts to humanitarian funding have forced the closure of more than 100 facilities providing treatment to children with severe malnutrition, making it harder for vulnerable children to access lifesaving nutrition and medical services.

She attributed the worsening malnutrition crisis to a combination of environmental and political factors, including regional instability and disruptions to cross-border trade.

At the same time, the return of more than 6 million Afghans since 2023 has placed additional pressure on the labor market and public services, including housing and healthcare.

UN agencies have repeatedly warned that declining humanitarian funding is reducing access to essential health and nutrition services for vulnerable Afghans, particularly children.