UNICEF: $ 9 million is needed to save the children of Afghanistan from hunger

The number of children on the verge of starvation in Afghanistan may reach 600,000 by the end of 2018, Alison Parker, UNICEF Chief of Communication in Afghanistan, said at a press briefing on November 27.

According to her, around 6 million people in Afghanistan need humanitarian assistance, over half of whom are children. More than 3 million youngsters are out of school and what is worse, some 100,000 school-aged children have been affected by the drought.

“The situation for children is dire and the needs are huge. Right now, $US 9 million is urgently needed to provide necessary assistance,” Alison Parker said.

Children in Afghanistan need water, education and protection like every other child living in other corners of the world.

“As leaders converge in Geneva for the Conference on Afghanistan we once again make an urgent plea for an end to violence. UNICEF calls on all parties to the conflict to adhere to and respect humanitarian principles, ensure the safety and protection of all children and guarantee their access to quality basic services. We owe it to them.  Children must never pay the price with their lives, health, education and future,” Ms. Parker added.

It should be noted that earlier, UNICEF called the level of infant mortality rate in Uzbekistan unacceptable. Today, 57% of deaths among children under five years of age occur in the first 28 days of life - the neonatal period.

The fund emphasized that they highly appreciate the efforts of the Uzbek government in tackling the issues, but worried that the death rates still remain too high.