The child malnutrition crisis in Afghanistan has escalated to alarming levels, with one-third of the country’s provinces now experiencing critical conditions. This information was provided by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Tuesday. The urgent report highlights that nearly 3.7 million children in Afghanistan are expected to face acute malnutrition throughout this year.

Additionally, the report notes that around 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are also at risk. The WFP has expressed concerns that the situation is likely to deteriorate further, particularly as the peak malnutrition season in Afghanistan runs from July to October.

John Aylieff, the WFP’s country director, emphasised the pressing need for immediate action to prevent rising child mortality linked to the crisis, acknowledging that, unfortunately, many have already suffered from its consequences.

Factors Contributing to the Crisis

The WFP has identified several interrelated factors contributing to the worsening malnutrition situation in Afghanistan. These include ongoing conflict, high unemployment rates, and soaring food prices. Moreover, widespread disease outbreaks, inadequate water and sanitation conditions, and a decrease in humanitarian funding also play significant roles.

It was reported that in 2025, 142 health centres in Afghanistan were forced to close due to reductions in aid, leading to over 13,000 children losing access to crucial nutrition treatment services. The WFP did not disclose specific details regarding the entities responsible for the funding cuts.

Additionally, disruptions in the supply of nutrition products have been exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East and the nine-month closure of the border with Pakistan. These circumstances have left nearly one million malnourished women and children without essential nutrition services for a duration of five months.

Funding Shortages and Emergency Response Needs

As the crisis unfolds, the WFP has announced a temporary suspension of food distributions intended to prevent famine in the most severely affected regions, due to insufficient funding. This suspension will occur from August to October, during the critical period for addressing malnutrition.

The organisation has highlighted that it requires an urgent amount of USD 540 million over the next six months to adequately respond to the escalating crisis. This financial support is crucial for delivering necessary assistance to vulnerable populations, particularly children and women.

The overall situation in Afghanistan remains dire, with millions of individuals at risk as health services shut down, supply chains are disrupted, and food support is diminished during vital months. The WFP continues to call for immediate emergency interventions to mitigate the growing malnutrition emergency affecting the nation.

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