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WASHINGTON, March 7 (Bernama-Anadolu) — A United Nations (UN) spokesman on Thursday warned of the “severe” humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.
“More than half of the population—that’s 23 million people—are in need of humanitarian assistance in the country.
“This number is one of the highest globally, second only to Sudan, where 30 million people currently require aid and protection,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
Food insecurity and malnutrition have remained “stubbornly high” in Afghanistan during the first quarter of 2025, he said, adding that nearly 15 million people—one in every three Afghans—are expected to experience high levels of acute food insecurity.
“Nearly 3.5 million children under the age of five, and more than 1 million pregnant and breastfeeding women, are expected to become acutely malnourished,” Dujarric said.
The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021 after more than two decades of war. The interim administration continues to impose restrictive policies, violating the fundamental rights of women and girls.
Afghanistan is also grappling with hunger, widespread poverty, a near-collapse of its public health system, and natural disasters.
— BERNAMA-ANADOLU