For many years, the situation in Afghanistan has been extremely precarious for children and women. In 2023, Afghanistan continued to grapple with the consequences of decades of conflict, entrenched poverty, climate-induced crises, and barriers to women’s equality and participation in public life. An unprecedented humanitarian response has largely prevented a catastrophe in the past two years, yet a staggering 23.3 million people still require humanitarian assistance, 12.6 million of them children. The level of deprivation among Afghan households remains high, with 84 percent of Afghans unable to meet their basic needs. Women and girls experience the worst effects of this crisis, through restrictions on their education, movement, employment and access to public services.
Despite the immense challenges in Afghanistan, UNICEF is staying and delivering for children. In 2023, UNICEF Afghanistan reached more than 20 million people with primary health care services, including 1 million people reached through mobile teams; admitted 715,000 children with severe malnutrition (57 percent girls) for treatment; supported 686,000 children (60 percent girls) with education services through 21,355 community-based education (CBE) classes; and continued to support Afghan returnees from Pakistan.
In 2024, UNICEF aims to provide:
-- 19.4 million people with primary health care services
-- 3.6 million children and caregivers with life-saving protection services
-- 5.5 million people with access to safe water
-- 2 million children under one vaccination against measles including outbreaks
With your help, UNICEF will continue to support children and their families across Afghanistan.
