UNICEF warns 3.7 million Afghan children under five at risk of malnutrition

A UNICEF‑UN OCHA joint assessment released Tuesday warns that approximately 3.7 million Afghan children under the age of five face an elevated risk of malnutrition as the country enters the peak season for life‑threatening wasting. The surge is attributed to a combination of chronic food insecurity, limited dietary diversity and insufficient access to essential health, water and sanitation services, which together undermine the nutritional status of the most vulnerable populations.

Humanitarian agencies say the looming crisis could exacerbate already high rates of acute malnutrition, with children in remote provinces and displacement camps being the hardest hit. Ongoing conflict, economic collapse and restricted humanitarian corridors have constrained the delivery of food aid and nutrition programmes, prompting calls for increased funding and expanded outreach to prevent a large‑scale humanitarian emergency.