The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has warned of a nutrition crisis in Afghanistan that is getting 'out of control,' particularly among children. The organization stated that the situation could worsen by October. {
Acute malnutrition in children has reached critical levels in 12 provinces: Helmand, Daykundi, Zabul, Baglan, Uruzgan, Paktika, Nuristan, Sar-i Pul, Gur, Kandahar, Faryab, and Logar, according to the UN WFP. {
UN WFP Country Director Aylieff stated that the increase in malnutrition last year was as high as ever, and the situation is 'even worse' this year. Aylieff noted that extreme hunger drives migration and radicalization, ultimately leading to instability. {
According to Aylieff, conflicts, trade disruptions, and forced returns from neighboring countries—especially Iran and Pakistan—contribute to the unprecedented scale of acute malnutrition in Afghanistan. Around six million Afghans have been forced to return to their home country from neighboring countries in the past three years. {
Funding shortages and service closures
The UN WFP reported that it has received only about one-tenth of the 900 million US dollars budgeted for Afghanistan this year. The organization stated that food and nutrition programs will be further reduced if sufficient funding is not provided. {
The UN WFP has received approximately one-tenth of its 900 million US dollar budget for Afghanistan this year.
The reduction in humanitarian aid funds led to the closure of 142 health centers across Afghanistan in 2025. {
Supply problems caused by regional conflicts and the closure of the Pakistan border led to approximately one million women and children being unable to access basic nutrition services for five months. {
Impact on women and children
Approximately one-third of children in Afghanistan are facing serious malnutrition, according to the UN WFP. The organization warned that without emergency support, more children will be driven into severe malnutrition and child deaths could increase in the coming months. {
UN WFP estimates for 2026 suggest that approximately 3.7 million children in Afghanistan are facing acute malnutrition. It is also estimated that 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are malnourished in the country. {
The UN WFP has made an urgent appeal for support to the international community, announcing it needs 540 million dollars over the next six months to sustain treatment and prevention programs for malnourished children and pregnant and breastfeeding women. {
