In a graveyard on the outskirts of Herat, Afghanistan, Ghulam Mohiddin and his wife Nazo mourn the loss of their three children, all succumbed to malnutrition in the past two years. The couple, living in the Sheidaee settlement, reports going without food on certain days, relying on breaking walnut shells for income, and receiving no assistance from the Taliban government or NGOs. They attribute their children’s deaths to the severe lack of nourishment, reflecting the broader humanitarian crisis affecting Afghanistan.
Current reports indicate that child malnutrition in Afghanistan has recently reached unprecedented levels according to the World Food Programme (WFP). WFP’s country director, John Aylieff, notes that in the early part of the year, Afghanistan experienced the highest recorded increase in child malnutrition. As international aid has decreased, particularly after the U.S. cut nearly all its funding earlier this year, the situation for vulnerable populations has worsened.
Aylieff highlights the pressing issue that over three million children are at risk due to food shortages, stating that issues like drought and the return of millions from neighboring countries further exacerbate the crisis. The Taliban’s policies regarding international cooperation, particularly around women’s rights, have complicated the situation, impacting the willingness of global entities to provide aid.
The Sheidaee graveyard, reportedly a few years old, exhibits a concerning trend with two-thirds of its graves belonging to children. Malnutrition manifests visibly in many children within these communities, as families struggle to provide basic necessities. Reports from hospitals illustrate the dire state of children’s health, with evidence of multiple infant deaths attributed to malnutrition and associated illnesses.
As the situation deteriorates, WFP warns of impending funding shortages that could halt assistance, which is vital as winter approaches and further complicates food supplies.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwydgj4pg9jo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss