Story perspectives

WFP Seeks $540 M to Combat Afghan Malnutrition Crisis

8/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

WFP urgently needs $540 million over the next six months to maintain and expand nutrition services in Afghanistan.
Child malnutrition is critical in one-third of provinces, with 3.7 million children and 1.2 million pregnant or breastfeeding women projected to suffer acute malnutrition.
Since January 2025, U.S. and European donor cuts forced WFP to suspend August-October food distributions and shrink its reach to one in seven women and children, down from one in four.

History

Historical Context

In 2008, FAO warned of a 49% rise in African cereal prices, prompting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to create a food-security task force and the United Nations and partners to mobilize $1.2 billion in emergency aid for the WFP. Since donor cuts began in January 2025, the WFP’s nutrition programs in Afghanistan risk collapse, echoing the 2008 funding gaps that left millions under-nourished.

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Story summary

WFP urgently needs $540 million over the next six months to maintain and expand nutrition services in Afghanistan.
Child malnutrition is critical in one-third of provinces, with 3.7 million children and 1.2 million pregnant or breastfeeding women projected to suffer acute malnutrition.
Since January 2025, U.S. and European donor cuts forced WFP to suspend August-October food distributions and shrink its reach to one in seven women and children, down from one in four.

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