“This week I encountered malnourished mothers and children who traveled for more than two hours to reach a WFP-supported clinic in Hisar Shahi camp, only to be turned away because we had no nutritional supplements left to give them,” he continued.
“What I saw in eastern Afghanistan is happening across the country and it is heartbreaking and totally unacceptable.”
Malnutrition rates near record
Afghanistan already faces near-record levels of malnutrition, with nearly five million mothers and children affected. Pressures are mounting: the closure of the border with Pakistan, repeated floods and earthquakes, and a sharp drop in humanitarian funding.
Amid the humanitarian crisis, there are also concerns about human rights and press freedom, as de facto Taliban authorities detained at least three journalists this week on unspecified charges.
Impact of the crisis in the Middle East
Rising global fuel prices and disruption to supply routes due to the Middle East conflict are pushing WFP’s already underfunded operations in Afghanistan to the brink.
This comes as another 500,000 people have returned from Pakistan and Iran so far this year, adding to the nearly 2.8 million people who returned last year, and families have moved to host communities that are themselves struggling.
“We are also seeing vulnerable families crossing the border from Pakistan in increasing numbers; many of them arriving in a country where they know no one, have nowhere to go and have no idea where their next meal will come from,” Skau said.
“I met single mothers and families with small babies; they all crossed with nothing more than what they could carry. They need food, shelter, safety and immediate support.”
Urgent support
WFP has been opening new supply corridors, targeting the most vulnerable people and working closely with other UN agencies and partners.
But without urgent donor support and accelerated authorization of humanitarian supplies, “these extraordinary efforts will fail to prevent a humanitarian disaster for millions of mothers and children,” Skau warned.
WFP urgently needs $350 million over the next six months for its life-saving operations in Afghanistan.
Detention of journalists
The worsening humanitarian situation comes amid broader concerns about civic rights and freedoms in Afghanistan.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expressed “serious concern” over the arrests of at least three journalists in recent days by de facto authorities on unspecified charges.
These incidents occur in the context of continued reports of threats and attacks against several journalists and the confiscation of their property during search operations by de facto authorities.
In a statement on Thursday, UNAMA called for clarification of the legal basis and charges against the detained journalists, and for the right to due process to be respected at all times.
A free, independent and secure press is essential for the transparency, accountability and well-being of Afghan society. said the Mission.