Children in Afghanistan suffer one of the highest levels of chronic malnutrition in the world, despite billions of dollars in aid that have poured into the war-torn country.

More than half of Afghan children under the age of five are chronically malnourished, according to the joint report by the World Bank and the government.

“Because of the ongoing conflict, foreign assistance has gone without any proportion to the provinces where concentration of troops and fighting has been heaviest,” said acting World Bank country director Josephine Bassinette.

“But the analysis in this report shows that poverty and food insecurity rates are actually higher in the more peaceful provinces,” she said, pressing for better targeting of aid to ensure it reaches the poorest people. – Photos and text by Agencies.