KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says 3.7 million children in Afghanistan suffer from acute malnutrition, while another 1.65 million are in a critical condition.
Daniel Timme, a UNICEF official, said in a video message that climate change and its consequences were among the key factors exacerbating food insecurity in Afghanistan, affecting thousands of children and families.
He said that although Afghanistan contributed only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, it was disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change.
UNICEF said drought had dried up water sources and destroyed orchards, posing a serious threat to the lives and health of children and families.
The agency said it was working with its partners to reach affected children and provide them with the care and treatment they needed. However, it warned that without immediate and sustained financial assistance, acute malnutrition in the country was likely to worsen.
UNICEF called for funding to sustain the distribution of therapeutic food, nutrition and healthcare services, access to safe drinking water and sanitation and livelihood support for vulnerable families.
As world leaders gathered for the COP31 climate summit, the agency also called for decisions and investments to protect vulnerable communities from the effects of climate change.
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