
UN's Guterres: Hunger Blocks Children's Path to Education
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that when hunger blocks children's path to education, "we all lose."
Guterres wrote on his X account on Thursday that school meals are a "lifesaving" measure for children, strengthening learning, dignity and educational opportunities. He emphasized that providing children access to nutritious food in schools is an essential investment that must not be overlooked.
The statement comes amid ongoing crises in countries including Afghanistan, where children face shortages of nutritious food and acute malnutrition. The World Food Programme has previously said school meals can be lifesaving and vital for many children in Afghanistan.
UNICEF reports that 942,000 children in Afghanistan suffer from severe acute malnutrition, with around 700,000 others at risk of moderate acute malnutrition.
More in Society

Guardian Reports Afghan Woman's Divorce Request Rejected by Taliban Court Despite Domestic Violence Claims

Herat Residents Complain of Prolonged Power Outages

UNICEF: Nearly Half of Afghanistan's Population Needs Humanitarian Assistance

Afghanistan Trust Fund says it has supported 4 million Afghan women in past four years
ReliableGuardian Reports Afghan Woman's Divorce Request Rejected by Taliban Court Despite Domestic Violence Claims
The Guardian reported that a woman in northern Afghanistan using the pseudonym Farzaneh had her divorce request rejected by a Taliban court despite detailing repeated domestic violence, including a beating with a phone charger cord. Activists and UN figures, including Malala Yousafzai and Susan Ferguson, highlighted escalating challenges for women's rights under Taliban rule.
DevelopingHerat Residents Complain of Prolonged Power Outages
Residents in Herat and other Afghan provinces are facing prolonged power outages exceeding two days, disrupting water supply, daily needs during Ramadan, and businesses ahead of Eid.
ReliableUNICEF: Nearly Half of Afghanistan's Population Needs Humanitarian Assistance
UNICEF reports that nearly half of Afghanistan's population, or 21.9 million people including 11.6 million children, will need humanitarian aid in 2026 amid nutritional and health risks.
ReliableAfghanistan Trust Fund says it has supported 4 million Afghan women in past four years
The Afghanistan Trust Fund reports supporting 4 million Afghan women and girls through empowerment projects in over four years of Taliban rule, with its assets growing to over $4 billion. Member Anwar al-Haq Ahadi highlighted profits exceeding $500 million.