WFP Warns of Worsening Child Malnutrition Crisis in Afghanistan

On August 4 2026 the United Nations World Food Programme announced that child malnutrition in Afghanistan has reached critical levels in a third of the country’s provinces. Funding shortfalls are forcing it to scale back life-saving nutrition programmes, leaving millions of children and pregnant or breastfeeding women without treatment.

UN food agency seeks urgent funding for child malnutrition crisis in Afghanistan WFP warns Afghanistan’s child malnutrition crisis deepens as aid cuts put millions at risk Associated PressWFP warns funding shortages deepen child malnutrition crisis in Afghanistan Colliding crises leave Afghanistan’s children on the brink of a malnutrition emergency The Straits Times

The surge in acute malnutrition follows prolonged conflict, high unemployment and a 20-30 % rise in staple-food prices. Since late 2023, nearly 6 million Afghans have been forcibly returned from neighboring countries, straining labor markets and public services. Supply chains have been disrupted by the Middle-East conflict and a nine-month closure of Pakistan’s border, limiting nutrition supplies. Since January 2025, the United States and several European donors have reduced contributions, deepening funding gaps.

Associated Press

• Projected acute malnutrition for 2026: 3.7 million children and 1.2 million pregnant or breastfeeding women.

WFP warns Afghanistan’s child malnutrition crisis deepens as aid cuts put millions at risk

• Critical-level wasting reported in 12 provinces.

WFP warns Afghanistan’s child malnutrition crisis deepens as aid cuts put millions at risk

• 142 health centres closed in 2025, cutting off nutrition treatment for more than 13,000 children.

Colliding crises leave Afghanistan’s children on the brink of a malnutrition emergency

• Approximately 1 million mothers and children missed essential nutrition services for five months due to supply disruptions.

Colliding crises leave Afghanistan’s children on the brink of a malnutrition emergency

• WFP estimates it needs $540 million over the next six months to maintain services; another source cites $500 million for the same period.

Associated Press

Halima, a mother in Kabul, was photographed on January 7 2026 holding a sachet of Plumpy’Nut at the WFP-supported Qasaba Clinic. In southern Afghanistan, Sediqa relies on WFP supplements for her two malnourished daughters. Dr. Samira, a health-centre clinician, notes that “most of the patients coming here are malnourished” and stresses that WFP supplies are essential.

Colliding crises leave Afghanistan’s children on the brink of a malnutrition emergency

John Aylieff told reporters that child wasting has reached “critical and record levels” in a third of Afghanistan’s provinces and is projected to keep rising. He warned that without urgent funding, WFP and its partners will be unable to prevent more children from becoming dangerously malnourished. The agency said its operational capacity has fallen to one in seven acutely malnourished women and children, down from one in four earlier in the year.

UN food agency seeks urgent funding for child malnutrition crisis in Afghanistan

Sources differ on the exact amount of emergency funding required: the Associated Press and several WFP statements cite $540 million, while a separate WFP release mentions $500 million for the same period. No detailed breakdown of the $40 million gap has been provided.

Associated Press

• “This is a crisis which is getting worse by the day and tragically one which we are unable to contain,” — John Aylieff, WFP Afghanistan director

The Straits Times

• “We must act now to stem the rise in child deaths, which this crisis is provoking,” — John Aylieff, WFP Afghanistan director

Associated Press

• “Afghanistan is already gripped by one of the world’s most severe and unrelenting malnutrition crises,” — John Aylieff, WFP Afghanistan director

Colliding crises leave Afghanistan’s children on the brink of a malnutrition emergency