UN warns of ‘extremely high’ hunger and malnutrition levels in Afghanistan
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says the severity levels of hunger and malnutrition remain extremely high in Afghanistan.
Kabul24: In a tweet on Wednesday, OCHA stated that “Over 15.5 million people in Afghanistan are estimated to be experiencing acute food insecurity with 2.8 million people in ‘emergency’ levels of hunger.”
According to the organization, “Some 3.2M children and 840,000 pregnant and nursing mothers are suffering from severe/moderate acute malnutrition.”
Meanwhile, the World Food Program (WFP) has expressed concerns about funding shortages for its operations in Afghanistan.
WFP Deputy Executive Director, Carl Skau, who recently visited the country, called for sustained support in providing humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan.
According to him, “WFP urgently needs US$918 million to maintain operations for the coming six months.”
Skau further highlighted the impact of funding shortfalls, explaining that even in regions with the highest levels of food insecurity, rations have had to be reduced; and 8 million highly vulnerable individuals will no longer receive WFP’s emergency assistance.
The WFP Deputy Executive Director also drew attention to the negative impact of restrictions on female employees in the aid process and the recurring severe weather conditions that impact communities every year.
He urged the international community not to turn its back on the people of Afghanistan, stressing that without sufficient funds, they cannot deliver the assistance desperately needed by girls, boys, women, and men across the country.
