Afghanistan’s Hunger Crisis Worsens: Global Hunger Index 2024

The 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI) report reveals that Afghanistan has ranked 116th out of 127 countries, with a score of 30.8, a decline from last year’s 114th place and a score of 30.6, Khaama Press reported yesterday.

The report highlights that 30.4% of the Afghan population suffers from malnutrition, with a staggering 5.8% of children dying before the age of five due to inadequate nutrition and poor living conditions.

Chronic malnutrition is evident, as 44.6% of children under five are shorter than expected for their age. Additionally, 3.6% of Afghan children are classified as underweight for their height, indicating acute malnutrition. The GHI categorizes the hunger situation in Afghanistan, now under Taliban control, as “serious,” alongside 35 other nations.

The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has escalated over the past three years, with the United Nations estimating that over 24 million people require urgent assistance. The report warns that global efforts to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal of eradicating hunger by 2030 are increasingly challenging, showing minimal progress since 2016.