An alarming number of children in Afghanistan are being compelled into labour to aid their families in coping with the escalating levels of poverty and hunger, according to a latest report from the Save the Children.
Amidst the backdrop of Afghanistan’s resurgence under the Taliban’s rule, the report said that an alarming 38.4% of the surveyed children are into labour. These young individuals are often placed in hazardous situations, illustrating the dire circumstances faced by Afghan families.
RISING POVERTY AND HUNGER
Save the Children’s survey showcases the profound challenges endured by Afghan children. An alarming 76.1% of the surveyed children state that they are consuming less food compared to the previous year. This alarming trend is attributed to the country’s worst drought in three decades, resulting in crop failures, livestock losses, and exacerbating the already dire food and water access issues. The drought’s impact is felt acutely by 58% of households interviewed by Save the Children.
A COMPLEX WEB OF FACTORS
The report uncovers a complex web of factors driving these distressing conditions: poverty, climate change, and hunger. Afghanistan’s vulnerability is further exacerbated by cuts in international funding, leaving millions deprived of essential food aid.
AFGHANISTAN’S CLIMATE CRISIS
Afghanistan serves as a stark illustration of the climate crisis’s brutal toll on families dependent on agriculture for survival. The nation grapples with its third consecutive year of drought, impacting over half of the population. This crisis hits the northern regions especially hard, where farming is a lifeline. In Sar-e-Pul province, 34.3% of households suffer severe hunger, rising to 20.7% in Jawzjan, further underlining the acute challenges faced by families.
IMPLICATIONS FOR CHILDREN
Children, especially girls, bear the brunt of this crisis. More than a third (38.4%) of surveyed children is driven to work to support their families, while 12.5% of households report child migration for work. These dire circumstances pose an unprecedented child protection crisis.
INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTION URGED
Save the Children calls for urgent humanitarian aid and long-term development support from the global community to address Afghanistan’s mounting needs. The organization also stresses the importance of maintaining ongoing funding for humanitarian efforts in the country and emphasizes the prioritization of children’s rights and girls’ education in these efforts.
