Maternal & child health crisis: UN agencies warn Afghanistan is facing severe malnutrition and maternal health risks, including WHO reporting more than three million children at risk of acute malnutrition and UN Women saying around 50,000 women and girls face growing gender-based violence risks in conflict-affected areas, with pregnant women hit hardest by food shortages and limited care. Humanitarian funding squeeze: OCHA says Afghanistan’s 2026 humanitarian plan is only 16% funded ($269m of $1.7b), putting life-saving food, healthcare, and emergency support for millions at risk. Access barriers to care: OCHA reports Taliban restrictions are limiting mothers’ and newborns’ access to life-saving services, while UN Women highlights limited healthcare access for women and girls in areas affected by border conflicts and disasters. Public health threats from environment: Reports from Kabul describe Eid slaughter waste left in city drainage ditches, with residents and experts warning it could worsen air pollution and raise disease risk if not cleaned. Health system strain from insecurity: MSF warns attacks on healthcare are rising, and the wider region’s instability continues to disrupt services and worker safety. Policy direction: Finance Minister Amir Khosru says Bangladesh plans UHC in its next budget (included here as a regional health-policy signal), aiming to reduce out-of-pocket spending—an approach Afghanistan advocates can learn from.