UNICEF warns 270,000 Afghan children at severe health risk from extreme winter conditions

Extreme winter conditions across Afghanistan have created a severe health emergency for children, with the UN Children's Fund warning on Thursday that about 270,000 minors are at serious risk. Heavy snowfall and prolonged freezing temperatures are deepening the dire humanitarian situation, particularly for communities affected by the devastating earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan last year.

Heightened Vulnerabilities in Temporary Settlements

UNICEF highlighted that children living in makeshift shelters are exceptionally vulnerable. Exposure to cold, damp conditions, combined with poor sanitation, drastically increases the threat of acute respiratory infections, hypothermia, and other preventable diseases. The agency noted that the harsh weather has already turned deadly, with local reports indicating at least 11 fatalities and three injuries over the past two days due to heavy snow and rains.

Widespread Impact and Forecast

The severe weather has impacted multiple provinces, including Parwan, Wardak, Kandahar, Jawzjan, Faryab, and Bamiyan. Afghanistan's meteorological department forecasts that precipitation will continue across much of the country in the coming days, suggesting the crisis will intensify. In response to the growing needs, UNICEF also announced an £8 million donation from the United Kingdom aimed at addressing child nutrition in Afghanistan.