Over 8.8m Afghan children face multiple climate threats, says UNICEF

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has revealed alarming findings about the impact of climate change on children in Afghanistan, warning that millions are facing multiple environmental threats simultaneously, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Thursday.

According to a new UNICEF report, more than 8.8 million children in Afghanistan are exposed at the same time to three major climate hazards—droughts, floods and heatwaves.

The report states that 41 percent of Afghanistan’s 21 million children are living under severe climate-related risks. UNICEF noted that widespread deprivation of basic rights and essential services has made Afghanistan the most challenging country in South Asia for children.

The agency further warned that the country’s worsening food crisis has intensified the impact of climate-related disasters on children. Nearly 50 percent of Afghan children are suffering from severe food poverty, contributing to one of the highest rates of stunting in the world.

UNICEF highlighted serious concerns regarding access to healthcare, education and child protection services, saying that existing vulnerabilities have left millions of children at greater risk.

Climate experts also warned that Afghanistan lacks adequate capacity to respond effectively to climate disasters, leaving vulnerable communities exposed to the growing impacts of extreme weather events.