Afghanistan is currently facing a dire hunger crisis that is devastating the lives of millions of people, particularly women and children. Sohaila Niyazi, a widow with six children, including a 15-month-old baby named Husna, has been forced to give her baby tea as a substitute for milk. Tea, without any nutritional value, is traditionally consumed in Afghanistan. Sohaila is one of the 10 million people who have stopped receiving emergency food assistance from the UN World Food Programme due to funding cuts. This has had a devastating impact on households run by women, who are unable to work and provide for their families under Taliban rule.
The lack of nutritious food has severe consequences for children like Husna, who suffer from malnutrition. Sohaila resorts to administering antihistamines to sedate her hungry baby to prevent her from crying for milk that Sohaila cannot afford to provide. While the antihistamines may temporarily alleviate hunger, they can have harmful respiratory side effects, especially when given in higher doses. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that healthcare aid, which had prevented the collapse of healthcare facilities, has also been withdrawn.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, which had been supporting health workers and providing funding and supplies to hospitals in Afghanistan, no longer has the resources to continue its assistance. As a result, health facilities, including the only children’s hospital in Kabul, are suffering from limited resources and reduced services. This has left many children, like Sumaya and Mohammad Shafi, severely malnourished and lacking adequate medical care.
The Taliban government, while acknowledging the economic difficulties faced by donor countries due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, emphasizes the need for self-reliance. However, their stringent restrictions on women and their values clash with those of many potential donors who are reluctant to provide aid to a country with such policies. Aid cuts have added to the already dire consequences of the economic spiral that Afghanistan has experienced since the stopping of foreign funding to the previous regime.
The situation on the ground is dire, with two-thirds of the population unsure of where their next meal will come from. Many households are forced into desperate measures, such as sending children to work, just to make ends meet. The mental health crisis among Afghan women is worsening as they struggle to provide for their families and face harassment and restrictions by the Taliban.
Immediate action is needed to address the hunger crisis in Afghanistan. Increased funding and support from the international community are crucial to prevent the loss of more lives. Emergency food assistance, medical aid, and resources for healthcare facilities must be restored to prevent further suffering, particularly among women and children. The Taliban government should reconsider their policies and values, recognizing the importance of safeguarding the well-being and dignity of their people. Only by working together can we alleviate the suffering and ensure a better future for Afghanistan.
