HERAT, Afghanistan — Families in this western province say they are unable to provide enough food for their children, with poverty and a lack of resources pushing many into malnutrition.
Among those affected are Nasser, Qasim, and Jamila—eight-month-old triplets from a family struggling to make ends meet. The infants are suffering from malnutrition, and their father, Raz Mohammad, says economic hardships have made treatment out of reach.
“I have three newborns, and all of them are malnourished,” Mohammad said. “The doctors say they need treatment, but we just can’t afford it.”
Economic challenges and unemployment are among the primary drivers of child malnutrition in Herat, where many mothers say they are unable to provide their children with sufficient food.
Sahargul, another Herat resident, expressed her desperation: “I swear to God, I can’t even find enough food for two meals a day. There’s no one to help us. Our economic situation is awful.”
Pediatric experts warn that inadequate and unhealthy food can leave children vulnerable to dangerous and even fatal diseases.
“In the first two years of life, breast milk, along with nutritious food, is essential for children,” said Waqil Ahmad Ghoryani, a pediatric specialist in Herat. “Without proper nutrition, they face the risk of developing severe, life-threatening conditions.”
A recent report by the Red Cross and Red Crescent estimates that 3.2 million children across Afghanistan are suffering from malnutrition, raising alarm about the worsening crisis.
As the situation becomes more dire, families in Herat continue to grapple with the heartbreaking consequences of widespread poverty, their children’s health at growing risk.
