The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says that more than three million Afghan children are struggling with malnutrition and that if their situation is not considered, over one million of them will be at risk of dying.
“Today is World Children’s Day but UNICEF Afghanistan is not celebrating. It is tough to be a child in Afghanistan right now. 14 million are hungry. Over three million are undernourished and over one million are at risk of death from severe, acute malnutrition,” said Sam Mort, Chief of Communication, Advocacy and Civic Engagement.
Also, thousands of Afghan children are forced to engage in hazardous work.
Sonia, 9, is working as a shoeshiner on a Kabul street.
“There is no one else to bring us money. Not one of our relatives can help us. I am the only who works,” she said.
Abdul Rahman, 10, lost his father in the 20-year conflict in Afghanistan. He is the breadwinner for his family of seven members.
“My father was martyred. My brothers cannot work. I am the only one who can work,” he said.
Civil rights activists said that if urgent assistance is not provided to Afghanistan, the situation will become worse for vulnerable children.
“Unfortunately, the Afghan children are deprived of their rights,” said Zarq Yaftali, a women’s rights activist.
UNICEF called on the international community to boost their support for Afghan children.
