The World Food Program said that 875,000 children are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition and 2.3 million children as well as 840,000 women from moderate acute malnutrition in 2023 in Afghanistan.
According to the spokesman of the WFP in Afghanistan, if Afghanistan enters a third year of drought, the nutrition situation could deteriorate by a further 20%.
Zabi, 2, has been affected by malnutrition.
Zabi’s mother said that another child of hers has also been affected by malnutrition.
“We have two malnourished children at home. They are malnourished due to lack of food, clothes and staying in areas with bacteria. This is all due to poverty,” said Khal Bibi, mother of Zabi.
“There are sick and weak children and the reason is poverty. We were staying under this curtain in the hot weather and we are still living under it during rainfall and snowfall,” said Khair Mohammad, grandfather of Zabi.
This comes as the WFP’s spokesman in Afghanistan said that they have reached out to 1.4 million people within the first two weeks of January this year.
“Live-saving food assistance continues across Afghanistan where it is possible, and Afghan women continue to access assistance and distribution sites, where it is safe for them to do. In the first two weeks of January, WFP and our partners have been able to reach nearly 1.4 million people across the country. This includes nutrition services for malnourished children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers who are at the sharp end of the hunger crisis,” said Phillipe Kropf, a spokesman for the WFP in Afghanistan.
According to him, female workers play a vital role in providing aid to Afghanistan.
However, the Ministry of Economy said that the aid would be effective if it is distributed in coordination with the ministry.
“Considering the current economic situation, and its fair distribution to the vulnerable areas and people who deserve it, the UN agencies and its partners may coordinate their activities with the ministries and relevant organizations,” said Abdul Rahman Habib, a spokesman for the Ministry of Economy.
