More than 12 million children in Afghanistan require humanitarian aid in 2024: UNICEF

Afghanistan is facing a dire humanitarian crisis in 2024, with 23.7 million people, including 12.3 million children, requiring assistance, Khaama Press reported yesterday citing a recent UNICEF report.

The UN organization states that only 35% of the $1.4 billion in aid needed for children in Afghanistan has been secured so far.

The report attributes the increase in poverty in the country to long-standing conflicts, climate change, economic recession, and rising unemployment.

It also highlights a concerning outbreak of measles, with 14,570 suspected cases and 71 deaths recorded since the beginning of 2024. Over 11,000 of these patients are children under five, and more than 6,000 are women.

UNICEF is urging its humanitarian partners to prioritize the safety of female staff in Afghanistan, as the situation remains challenging.

This comes after Save the Children expressed concerns about the struggles faced by 250,000 Afghan children returning from Pakistan, who are grappling with shortages of food and shelter.