Afghan Children Face Rising Threats Amid Climate Disasters

Tens of thousands of Afghan children are severely impacted by ongoing flash floods caused by heavy seasonal rains. The UN children's agency, UNICEF, reports significant destruction, with many children facing hunger and homelessness. Efforts to address and adapt to climate change impacts are urgently needed.

Tens of thousands of children in Afghanistan continue to suffer from devastating flash floods, particularly in the north and west, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday.

Unusually heavy seasonal rains have caused widespread havoc, leading to the deaths of hundreds, and significant damage to property and crops. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has highlighted that many survivors are now struggling to make ends meet.

UNICEF emphasized that the extreme weather conditions signify an escalating climate crisis, with several affected regions also enduring droughts last year. The WFP reported over 300 fatalities and the destruction of thousands of homes in May, primarily in Baghlan province. Many survivors are now left without homes, land, and livelihoods.

In its statement on Monday, UNICEF revealed that tens of thousands of children are still reeling from the floods' impacts.

"The international community must increase efforts and investments to support communities in mitigating and adapting to climate change's effects on children," urged Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF's representative in Afghanistan.

He further noted that "UNICEF and humanitarian organizations must brace for a new normal of climate-related disasters."

Afghanistan ranks 15th out of 163 nations on the Children's Climate Risk Index, underscoring the country's heightened vulnerability to climate and environmental shocks, particularly affecting children.

Last week, Save the Children projected that about 6.5 million Afghan children will face critical hunger levels in 2024.

The report predicts nearly 30% of Afghan children will endure crisis or emergency hunger levels this year, as the nation contends with immediate flood repercussions, prolonged drought effects, and the influx of returnee Afghans from Pakistan and Iran.

Since September 2023, over 557,000 Afghans have returned from Pakistan due to a crackdown on undocumented foreigners, including 1.7 million Afghans.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)