Afghanistan is in dire need of nutritional intervention. Malnutrition rates, especially among children under five and women, are alarmingly high. To confront this pressing issue, a range of nutrition initiatives have been implemented across the country, focusing on promotion, prevention and treatment.
Fueling the Future: Nourishing Children for Optimal Growth
Over 17 million Afghans suffer from food insecurity (Human Response Plan 2023), with an estimated 4 million children under five and pregnant or lactating women facing acute malnutrition (2022 National Nutrition Survey). Unfortunately, child malnutrition cases in Afghanistan have surged by nearly 50% in the past year, exacerbated by a crumbling economy, rising unemployment, poverty and soaring food prices.
Malnutrition in children is more than a dangerous epidemic: it is the recipe for an instable and unhealthy future. The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are crucial for their growth and development. During this period, providing the right nutrition is paramount. An imbalanced diet during early childhood leads to deficiencies in vital vitamins and nutrients, compromising children’s immunity and increasing their susceptibility to common childhood diseases.
Meeting children’s nutritional needs during this critical stage can be challenging, as many parents face barriers in securing adequate, nutritious, safe, affordable, and age-appropriate food. These challenges become even more daunting during times of conflict, disasters, and humanitarian crises.
Empowering Women for a Nutritious Future
Besides children, women and girls bear the brunt of malnutrition due to cultural and social barriers hindering their access to education, healthcare and employment opportunities. Afghanistan has one of the highest rates of maternal and child mortality worldwide, with malnutrition serving as a leading cause.
Conquering malnutrition by providing mothers with the resources and knowledge to give their children a healthy start in life requires a comprehensive approach. This multifaceted strategy entails improving access to food and preventing malnutrition, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and investing in nutrition programmes and healthcare services to treat the malnourished population.
Promoting Healthy Behaviours
To champion good nutrition, HealthNet TPO employs a team of mobile health and nutrition experts, community health workers, and dedicated nutrition staff within fixed health facilities. Throughout the country, we raiseawareness about balanced nutrition, breastfeeding, weaning practices, micronutrients and healthy eating habits. We especially focus on rural areas where healthcare access and information are limited. By advocating for good nutrition, we lay the foundation for a healthier society. Within healthcare facilities, our team organises food demonstrations for parents and guardians, particularly pregnant and lactating women, and children. These engaging sessions cover best practices for weaning while ensuring optimal nutrition for development after breastfeeding.
“In the province of Laghman, community health workers and nutrition counsellors empower mothers to care for their children and families better.”
By educating communities about proper infant and young child feeding practices, we can prevent malnutrition at its roots. In Laghman province, our Community Health Workers programme distributes Micro-Nutrient Powder (MNP) to fortify local household food, preventing micronutrient deficiencies and reducing iron deficiency anemia among our target group, while promoting normal growth.
Preventing Malnutrition
Our static health facilities, mobile health and nutrition teams, and community health workers diligently screen children and women on a regular basis. By monitoring the growth of children under two, we can proactively prevent, detect, and treat malnutrition.
In 2022 alone, we screened 254,715 children across all our health facilities, identifying 7,923 cases of severe acute malnutrition and 39,292 cases of moderate acute malnutrition. These individuals were promptly referred to health facilities for specialized treatment. Furthermore, we closely monitored the growth of 115,041 children under the age of two, while providing essential Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) counseling services to their mothers.
A Crucial Checkpoint: Screening for Maternal Nutrition
Screening pregnant and lactating mothers within our health facilities and nutrition teams plays a vital role in combating malnutrition. During pregnancy and lactation, maternal nutrition is crucial for the health of both mother and child. Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of an infant’s life is paramount. When a mother’s diet and health are compromised, it directly affects the wellbeing of her child. Through early detection of malnutrition signs, we can promote healthy diets, provide micronutrient supplements, and administer treatment.
Treating Malnourished Children Back to Health
Unfortunately, raising awareness, implementing food demonstrations, conducting screenings and MNP distributions are not always sufficient to combat malnutrition. Last year, HNTPO provided treatment for almost 65,000 children suffering from acute malnutrition in Afghanistan.
Our programmes offer ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF), ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF), super cereal, and other nutritional commodities to enhance the wellbeing of children and mothers facing acute malnutrition. Additionally, our dedicated health workers and nutrition counselors offer crucial guidance and support to families in managing and treating malnutrition.
Transforming Lives: Fawzia’s Inspirational Journey
Meet Fawzia*, a 14-month-old child who was once a mere shadow of herself when she arrived at the hospital with her concerned mother. After six weeks of specialised nutritional care and close medical attention, Fawzia underwent an astonishing transformation. Now at a healthy weight, she is an entirely different child—joyful, vigorous, and actively engaged in play!
How You Can Make a Difference
By combining these various approaches to prevent and treat malnutrition while promoting healthy behaviours, we can address the complex issue of malnutrition in Afghanistan and uplift the health and wellbeing of its population. However, our efforts are not yet sufficient to create a malnutrition-free Afghanistan. Join us in making a difference by donating now to save lives in Afghanistan.
Note: *Name has been changed to protect privacy.
