Support Children in Afghanistan with UNICEF
UNICEF works with partners to reach children in Afghanistan with health care, education, protection and other essential services and support. Learn more about this critical humanitarian work, and how to help.
Children in Afghanistan need help
Afghanistan remains one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with millions of children and families in need of humanitarian assistance.
The country is among those hit hardest by child malnutrition and the global food and nutrition crisis fueled by conflict, displacement and climate shocks. Communities and systems face mounting strain as Afghan refugees return from Iran in droves as a result of the military escalation in the Middle East in late February/March 2026.
The new wave of returnees is part of a longer, all-too-familiar pattern of violence and fear: In 2025, nearly 3 million Afghans, 60 percent of them families with children, returned to Afghanistan from neighboring countries, mainly Iran and Pakistan, putting added pressure on health, nutrition, water and child protection services that children and families rely on and intensifying needs across the board.
"For families returning with very limited means, displacement and uncertainty can quickly increase the risk of malnutrition and ill health, particularly for young children and for pregnant and breastfeeding women," UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan, Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale said at a press briefing in Geneva on March 10, 2026.
Learn more: Afghan children returning from Iran need urgent assistance
UNICEF Afghanistan works with government and other local partners to provide lifesaving support to children in Afghanistan and their families, helping to improve their access to essential services and meet both urgent and long-term needs.
Donor support is needed to sustain these efforts as conflict-related internal displacements in eastern border areas increase and the influx of returnees from Iran continues.
Challenges for children in Afghanistan
Relief remains out of reach for many families and kids in Afghanistan. The Taliban takeover in 2021 led to rapidly deteriorating conditions in the country — one already marked by decades of insecurity and climate-driven natural disasters — creating one of the worst humanitarian crises of modern times.
Acute malnutrition among children under age 5 in Afghanistan remains widespread driven by food insecurity, climate shocks and chronic poverty. The country’s health system remains severely strained, with limited resources, staffing shortages and gaps in access to care. Unsafe water and inadequate sanitation continue to undermine the health and well-being of Afghan children and families in many areas.
UNICEF has been on the ground in Afghanistan since 1949, working closely with local partners and other UN agencies to address these gaps and meet urgent humanitarian needs. When disaster strikes, UNICEF is also there to provide emergency relief.
Earthquake relief in Afghanistan
When a powerful earthquake struck the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar on Aug. 31, 2025, UNICEF immediately launched a multi-sectoral response, delivering lifesaving assistance, including emergency health, nutrition and child protection support within the first 72 hours. UNICEF had deployed a similar rapid response after a series of quakes devastated western Herat province in October 2023.
With tens of thousands of people still living in tents many weeks later — and winter approaching — UNICEF prepared and then distributed warm clothing and other cold weather gear. Support programs continue to assist earthquake survivors who remain displaced and to safeguard children's rights in very challenging circumstances.
Girls' rights to education and protection under threat in Afghanistan
The situation for women and girls in Afghanistan remains of grave concern. Girls remain barred from attending school beyond grade 6, creating significant learning and protection risks and likely impacting generations to come.
These and other restrictions on women and girls have curtailed basic freedoms, deprived many women of income-earning opportunities and created barriers to accessing services.
Climate risks are high in Afghanistan
With a warming rate that is higher than the global average, Afghanistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.
Drought, flooding and other climate-driven disasters have severely impacted access to safe water in several provinces, while compounding other humanitarian needs.
"The most pressing needs arise not from conflict as you may think," UNICEF Afghanistan Communications Chief Samantha Mort says, "but from a devastating economic crisis fueled by climate-related threats."
How UNICEF is helping children and families in Afghanistan
UNICEF focuses on strengthening and improving access to essential services and providing lifesaving support and protection despite a highly complex operating environment. While physical access to people in need has largely improved, bureaucratic impediments, threats and intimidation of humanitarian workers and restrictions on female humanitarian workers continue, often hindering service delivery.
UNICEF continues helping Afghanistan by advocating for unimpeded and principled access to people in need, while seeking donor support to help close significant funding gaps so that critical programs — in health and nutrition, water and sanitation, education and child protection — can be scaled and sustained. UNICEF also continues to advocate for the rights of women and girls.
Frequently asked questions about UNICEF Afghanistan
Where is Afghanistan and why does UNICEF work there?
Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South-Central Asia bordered by Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China. UNICEF Afghanistan works with partners to support children’s rights and well-being by helping strengthen health care, nutrition services, education and child protection systems across the country.
Is Afghanistan safe for children?
Living conditions vary across the country, but many Afghan children face risks related to poverty, food insecurity and limited access to basic services. In some communities, families struggle to access health care, safe water or schooling. UNICEF supports programs that help improve safety and stability for children and their families.
Why are kids in Afghanistan facing humanitarian challenges?
Afghanistan’s children are affected by economic hardship, climate-related disasters and gaps in essential infrastructure. These pressures can contribute to hunger, illness and disruptions to education. Ongoing humanitarian work in Afghanistan focuses on addressing these challenges while helping communities strengthen long-term support systems for children.
How can I help Afghanistan’s children?
If you want to make a difference, consider supporting UNICEF. Donations help UNICEF continue its humanitarian work for children. Donate below to help kids in need in Afghanistan and worldwide.
