“Mothers do not receive adequate nutrition throughout pregnancy; and are unable to eat adequately after delivery,” said Mohammad Sharif, a doctor at Charakar Hospital.

According to the United Nations, 1.1 million children under the age of five in Afghanistan will likely endure the most severe form of malnutrition this year; as more hungry, wasting-away toddlers are brought into hospital wards.

Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan last year; the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies were able to prevent outright famine by launching a large emergency aid programme that fed millions.

However, they are straining to keep up with the rapidly deteriorating situation.

According to a report released this month, poverty is increasing; putting more Afghans in need of assistance, global food costs are rising as a result of the Ukraine conflict, and foreign funding commitments have so far failed to materialise.

As a result, the most vulnerable suffer, including children as well as women who are fighting to feed their families.