Overview: A Challenging Month for Afghanistan
In November 2025, UNICEF reported escalating humanitarian needs across Afghanistan, following a devastating 6.3-magnitude earthquake in the early hours of 3 November that shook communities from Balkh to Samangan. The quake compounded existing vulnerabilities in a country already grappling with ongoing conflict, displacement, and limited access to essential services. This report highlights UNICEF’s response, focusing on child protection, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education, and health, while outlining ongoing priorities to reach the most vulnerable families.
Earthquake Impact on Children and Families
The earthquake disrupted homes, schools, and health facilities, leaving thousands without shelter and basic services. UNICEF’s rapid assessment teams documented casualties, injuries, and the displacement of families into temporary shelters and makeshift camps. Children are disproportionately affected by shelter instability, loss of protective environments, and interruptions to routine health and immunization services. In coordination with partners, UNICEF is prioritizing safe sleeping spaces, thermal blankets, and child-friendly spaces to minimize trauma and ensure continuity of care for at-risk children.
Protection and Psychosocial Support
Children exposed to traumatic events require protection and psychosocial support to prevent long-term mental health consequences. UNICEF is expanding child protection services, including case management for unaccompanied or separated children, family tracing, and safeguarding systems within displacement sites. Trained social workers and community volunteers are delivering age-appropriate psychosocial activities to help children cope with the stress of displacement and loss.
Nutrition: Detecting and Treating Wasting
In November, UNICEF-led programs screened 1.2 million children for wasting, a key indicator of malnutrition. Of those screened, tens of thousands were identified as acutely malnourished and referred for treatment, including Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and supplementary feeding where appropriate. The scale of malnutrition remains a critical concern in communities facing food insecurity, disrupted livelihoods, and interrupted food supply chains.
Maternal and Child Health Services
With access to health facilities limited by travel constraints and security concerns, maintaining essential maternal and child health services is a priority. UNICEF-supported outreaches, mobile clinics, and facility-based care aim to reduce delays in immunizations, antenatal checks, and postnatal visits. Where possible, vaccination campaigns are adapted to operate safely in emergency settings, protecting children from routine illnesses that can compound malnutrition and anemia risks.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
Displaced populations often face challenges obtaining clean water and hygienic facilities. UNICEF has increased the distribution of water purification tablets, soap, and hygiene kits to affected families. Repairing damaged water systems and restoring safe latrines in camps are essential to prevent disease outbreaks, particularly among young children and pregnant women. Hygiene promotion activities emphasize handwashing with soap and safe water storage, reducing the risk of diarrhea and respiratory infections.
Education and Learning in Emergencies
School disruptions threaten children’s education, safety, and sense of normalcy. UNICEF’s education programs work to establish temporary learning spaces and provide back-to-school supplies, while training teachers to recognize and respond to trauma. Reintegrating children into structured learning environments supports resilience, gives families a sense of routine, and protects children from exploitation in displacement contexts.
Humanitarian Coordination and Outreach
UNICEF works with the Afghan authorities, UN partners, non-governmental organizations, and community groups to streamline aid delivery. Data collection and risk communication are central to these efforts, guiding the targeting of the most vulnerable households. Real-time monitoring helps identify gaps in nutrition, health, WASH, and protection services so that responders can adjust strategies quickly and effectively.
What Comes Next: Priorities for December
Looking ahead, UNICEF emphasizes rapid scaling of nutrition screening, expansion of therapeutic feeding for malnourished children, protection services for unaccompanied minors, and the restoration of safe water and sanitation infrastructure in affected zones. As security and access constraints persist, humanitarian actors will continue to advocate for safe, sustained access to all communities in need and to secure funding that meets the emergency’s scale.
For more details, UNICEF Afghanistan remains committed to transparency in reporting, adapting programs to evolving conditions, and ensuring that every child in need receives timely, lifesaving assistance.
