KABUL, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Around 22.9 million people in Afghanistan, including approximately 12 million children, nearly half of the population, have required humanitarian assistance over the past year, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said in its latest report, according to media coverage by TOLO news on Monday.

According to the report, a combination of climate shocks, ongoing economic stagnation, and rising unemployment has significantly increased humanitarian needs across the country.

Extreme weather events, including repeated droughts and floods, have compounded existing vulnerabilities, deepening food shortages and putting additional pressure on limited public services in both cities and rural districts, the report said.

UNICEF also highlighted serious funding constraints, particularly in the water and sanitation, health, and nutrition sectors. These shortages have affected service delivery and heightened concerns over possible interruptions in the supply of essential life-saving materials.