UNICEF: More Than Half of Afghan Children Live in Extreme Food Poverty

KABUL (Hasht-e Subh) -- Tajuddin Ayoubi, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan, stated that more than half of young children in the country live in extreme food poverty.

Ayoubi made the comment on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, via his X account, noting that while UNICEF promotes healthy child nutrition at home, the use of commercial foods for infants is increasing day by day.

He emphasized that food safety and quality are crucial, adding that UNICEF, in cooperation with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), regulates and controls imports of these foods to ensure children's health.

UNICEF has previously warned that food poverty and limited access to healthy food threaten children's growth and health, calling for urgent action to address the challenge.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has also reported that families across Afghanistan continue to face rising hunger and insufficient food supplies.