In Kurdish areas chronic malnutrition dropped to 14.5 percent of children under 5, from 18.3 percent a year earlier.

One in three is an orphan, it said, and almost half suffer from chronic malnutrition.

Because of continuing economic problems, food shortages and chronic malnutrition prevail in the 2000s.

"Over 840 million people suffer from chronic malnutrition," Vasquez said.

In 2005, more than 50% of the children here suffered from severe chronic malnutrition.

Stunting from chronic malnutrition affects 26% of children under 5.

These people had few means for survival, and suffered chronic malnutrition.

The study found that 17.5% of children aged 6-59 months suffered from chronic malnutrition.

One in three Afghan children is an orphan, almost half suffer chronic malnutrition.

Half a billion people, about one of every eight, are suffering chronic malnutrition today.