World News
UNICEF warns 1 million Afghan children face risk of death from acute malnutrition
The UN agency reported rising hospital admissions across Afghanistan, with infants under six months making up a large portion of severe cases.
The short version
- UNICEF announced that one million children in Afghanistan have life-threatening severe acute malnutrition and risk dying without swift treatment.
- Infants under six months account for nearly 40% of hospital admissions for severe wasting and complications, while children under two make up over 80% of severe acute malnutrition cases.
- More than 500,000 children have been admitted to hospitals for wasting so far this year, with some southern hospitals reporting three to four malnourished children per bed.
- The UN agency warned that immediate treatment and rapid action are required to prevent widespread deaths among affected children.
Key facts
- UNICEF stated that 3.7 million children across Afghanistan suffer from wasting, including one million who have severe acute malnutrition.[France 24]
- Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF country representative for Afghanistan, warned that one million children face a risk of death if they do not receive rapid treatment.[France 24]
- Nearly 40 percent of hospital admissions for severe wasting and related medical complications are infants under six months old.[France 24]
- Children under two years old comprise more than 80 percent of all severe acute malnutrition cases nationwide.[France 24]
- Hospital admissions for high-risk, moderate, and severe wasting have surpassed 500,000 children so far this year.[France 24]
- Recorded cases grew from approximately 6,000 in July 2025 to over 8,000 in July this year, representing a one-third increase.[France 24]
What remains uncertain
- The total number of fatalities that will result depends on the speed and availability of medical interventions and aid delivery.[France 24]