2 healthy breakfasts for schoolchildren in Afghanistan

Many children in Afghanistan are in the same situation as Bibi. Since the Taliban took power on August 15, 2021, the country and its population have been facing major challenges: the economy is weak, many families have only a low income, and climate change is also making life difficult with droughts and floods (UNDP 2025). In addition, the rights of girls and women are severely restricted (UN Women 2024). At the same time, the need is great: over 22.9 million people – half the population – are now dependent on aid, and 14.8 million of them are suffering from hunger (UNOCHA 2025). Children are particularly affected by this crisis. More than three million children and pregnant women are considered acutely malnourished, including around 857,000 who are in a particularly dangerous situation if they do not receive help (UNOCHA 2025). This makes it all the more important to provide children with regular meals. School meals have multiple benefits in this regard: they combat malnutrition, improve concentration in class, and provide security for families. At the same time, children and parents learn how to eat a balanced diet even with limited resources. For many families, the daily breakfast at school is also a key reason for sending their children, especially girls, to school regularly.