RASC News Agency: On the occasion of World Health Day, the United Nations and the World Food Programme (WFP) have issued a dire warning, revealing that Afghanistan is grappling with the worst malnutrition crisis in its history. According to the UN, every 10 seconds, a child in Afghanistan suffers from severe complications due to malnutrition, with projections indicating that 3.5 million children in the country will endure the devastating effects of malnutrition this year. In a video shared on the social media platform X, the World Food Programme pointed to the acute shortage of financial resources in Afghanistan, explaining that this deficit has left millions without access to sufficient food.
Mutinta Chimuuka, the head of the WFP office in Afghanistan, underscored, “Mothers, who are supposed to nourish the next generation, are themselves suffering from malnutrition. If adequate funding is secured, we can address the malnutrition affecting both children and their mothers, ensuring they receive the necessary food and nutrients to survive.” In parallel, the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) issued a statement emphasizing the critical need for sufficient healthcare infrastructure and skilled personnel to prevent preventable deaths among mothers and newborns in Afghanistan.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) also reiterated the importance of equitable healthcare access in remote regions, emphasizing the challenges faced by marginalized populations. Since the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan’s healthcare system has collapsed, with hundreds of health centers shuttered. This crisis has been exacerbated by a sharp decline in international aid and the financial struggles highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO). Reports indicate that, without immediate intervention, 1.8 million Afghanistani citizens will be deprived of access to essential primary healthcare services.
