UNICEF: Measles Kills 357 Afghan Children in Six Months, Over 12 Million Need Urgent Aid

Kokcha News Agency: UNICEF has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, revealing that measles has killed at least 357 children in the first half of 2025. Over 12 million children are in urgent need of assistance as the country faces a deepening health and malnutrition crisis.

From January to June, more than 74,800 suspected measles cases were reported, with nearly 80% of cases affecting children under five years old. Other preventable diseases, including severe diarrhea and pneumonia, continue to spread widely.

The agency has highlighted one of the world’s worst child malnutrition crises, with 3.5 million Afghan children suffering from acute malnutrition and 1.4 million at immediate risk of death.

The crisis is further exacerbated by mass deportations from Iran. Between January and June, over 714,000 Afghans returned to the country, with 99% undocumented and 70% forcibly expelled. This has placed immense strain on border communities already struggling with limited resources.

UNICEF projects that by October, 9.5 million people—approximately one-fifth of Afghanistan’s population—will face “crisis” or “emergency” levels of hunger.

The organization has appealed for $1.2 billion to fund its operations this year, but only 51% of the required funding has been secured. This shortfall threatens life-saving programs for children and families.

UNICEF is calling for urgent and sustained global support, warning that without immediate action, Afghanistan will face countless preventable deaths and escalating suffering among its most vulnerable populations, particularly children and women.