The Global Hunger Index has reported that Afghanistan, alongside Nigeria, is among the countries where the height of children has seen the most significant increase in short stature.
In its report, the Global Hunger Index stated that 44.6% of children under five years old in Afghanistan are shorter than their age group, with this short stature resulting from acute malnutrition.
The report indicates that Afghanistan ranks 116th out of 127 countries in the Global Hunger Index for 2024, with a score of 30.8. The country is classified as experiencing “serious” hunger, with 30.8% of its population suffering from malnutrition.
Additionally, it was noted that 3.8% of children under five years in Afghanistan weigh less than what is appropriate for their age, and 5.8% of children die before reaching the age of five.
The report highlights that food security in Afghanistan has worsened due to war, economic instability, and natural disasters that disrupt agriculture and aid efforts.
The Global Hunger Index emphasized that since 2016, Afghanistan’s score on the hunger index has increased, primarily due to rising levels of hunger.
Furthermore, families in Afghanistan are forced to adopt very stringent strategies due to food shortages.
Global Hunger Situation
The report also mentions that there has been little progress in reducing hunger worldwide since 2016, and the outlook for achieving the goal of “zero hunger” by 2030 is “very poor.”
According to the report, the Global Hunger Index score for 2024 is set at 18.3, which is slightly lower than in 2016, indicating minimal progress.
These challenges include large-scale armed conflicts, the increasing impacts of climate change, high domestic food prices, market disruptions, high debt among low- and middle-income countries, income inequality, and economic recession.
Additionally, conflicts such as the wars in Gaza and Sudan have raised the specter of famine globally and led to exceptional food crises.
Moreover, internal conflicts in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Mali, and Syria have also contributed to food crises.
The report identifies violations of the right to food and gender discrimination as factors contributing to increased hunger levels in various countries.
Scores in the Global Hunger Index are calculated based on criteria such as malnutrition, child stunting, and child mortality, and are assessed on a scale of 100 points.
