1.7 Million Children at Risk of Death in Afghanistan: Tom Fletcher
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warns that 1.7 million children in Afghanistan face deadly malnutrition amid severe winter conditions, funding shortfalls, and stalled aid deliveries.
The UN has warned of a growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, where 1.7 million children are at risk of death due to severe malnutrition. Tom Fletcher, UN Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, described the situation as “shocking” during a Security Council briefing on Wednesday, December 10.
Fletcher said food insecurity has worsened this winter, with many life-saving food distributions suspended. He added that 1.1 million children have been denied access to vital aid, leaving them extremely vulnerable.
He reported that 303 nutrition service centres have been forced to close due to funding shortfalls, further limiting access to emergency care for malnourished children. Fletcher emphasized that lifting restrictions on women and girls is critical to maintaining aid operations.
The UN official also condemned Taliban prohibitions on women working in UN offices, calling them “unacceptable” and warning that the restrictions disrupt essential humanitarian services. He urged the international community to provide additional funding to sustain aid programmes.
According to recent reports by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most food-insecure countries, with millions facing acute malnutrition and inadequate access to healthcare.
Humanitarian agencies say that without urgent international support, the coming months could see a significant increase in child mortality and widespread suffering among vulnerable populations.
Security Council members highlighted the need for coordinated action to ensure that aid reaches those most in need, stressing that the protection of women workers and access for humanitarian staff are essential for delivering life-saving assistance.
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