Malnutrition and preventable diseases such as pneumonia have largely contributed to the phenomenal child mortality rate in Afghanistan. The situation is particularly acute at Jalalabad Hospital, where hundreds of acutely ill children are pouring in daily because the facility is overwhelmed. Fundamentally designed for a much lesser caseload, the hospital has run out of this supply altogether and in some places, a number of personnel as well.

The immigration of Afghan refugees from Pakistan in recent years has literally stretched the use of available local resources to a level that is quite unbearable. Many families that have been forced to move around face severe attacks of poverty and a lack of facilities to cater to basic needs. 

This condition led to an increased rate of malnutrition and other health complications accompanying malnutrition. The children in these communities have borne the brunt of such conditions as stunted growth, meaning their development is slowed.

While stunting leads to both body and brain impairment with lifelong consequences, 45% of Afghan children under five years of age suffer from it. Children of the stunted families have more visible bodies that, besides being different, cannot learn and survive as well. Mohammed, for instance, is only two years old, yet he is unable to stand, and his future is still unknown.

 His mother, Robina, tries in desperation to seek out how she can raise the money for the medical care he now needs under medical treatment that she simply cannot find the money to pay for. In a world where such issues exist, it is clear that financial resources simply do not make their way into most households.

Budget cuts have ravaged community nutrition programs vital element in addressing these problems. Many of these programs now operate with only a small percentage of what is required. Given the current circumstances, though, enough evidence abounds that, in the right timing, it could be the tipping point. 

For example, Sardar Gul has two malnourished children. Among them an eight months son, Mujib, is recovering weight after receiving assistance. Progress shows the effectiveness of the aid; but it also shows that more is needed.

The situation in Afghanistan is described as at risk of near collapse unless there is a significant increase in humanitarian assistance, according to UNICEF and other organizations. 

In addition to the immediate childhood health impact that the malnutrition crisis is having, it also jeopardizes future possibilities in Afghanistan for recovery and development. If the international community remains unresponsive, then poverty and ill health will continue, severely hampering the ability of Afghanistan to rebuild and advance. The test of time will be to provide sustained and adequate support to prevent any further deterioration of the situation and make sure that the future is better for Afghanistan’s children.