In Afghanistan, malnutrition is a significant challenge due to longstanding conflict and climate related shocks. Our programme aims to address the root causes of malnutrition by providing access to nutritious food, educating mothers on optimal nutrition, and providing regular screening and referrals to health services for pregnant and lactating mothers and children.
Majid is a father of seven from the Balkh province of Afghanistan. He and his family face harsh living conditions due to extreme temperatures, with summer highs above 40°C and winter lows as cold as -22°C. The programme supported Majid’s household by providing training in kitchen gardening and vegetable production, enabling them to improve their farming practices and access nutritious food.
“The training on kitchen gardening was extremely useful to enhance my farm’s benefits and beneficial for my family, providing us with nutritious food from the garden, and sometimes I sold some vegetables in the markets which supported my family to meet their other needs,” Majid said.
Women in Afghanistan face significant barriers to accessing health and nutrition resources, exacerbating the issue of malnutrition. Majid’s wife received training on breastfeeding, complementary foods for infants and young children, and how to use kitchen garden produce. As a result, she breastfed their 18-month-old son more often, leading to his healthy growth.
Our programme has made a positive impact on the lives of people in Balkh province. Despite the challenging operating environment in Afghanistan, Save the Children will continue to provide training, support, and access to nutritious foods and ensure children in Afghanistan get a healthy start in life.