Afghanistan’s child deaths are rising as food distributions face cuts, UN says
WFP said it needs $540 million over the next six months as 3.7 million Afghan children are projected to face acute malnutrition.
- On Tuesday, the UN World Food Programme reported that child wasting has reached critical levels in Afghanistan, forcing health workers to turn away six in seven malnourished women and children due to severe aid shortages.
- The U.S. and European countries have cut funding since January 2025, sharply reducing WFP operations, while conflict-related trade disruptions and mass returns further compound economic pressures on local services.
- Nearly 14 million Afghans face acute hunger as staple food prices surge 20% to 30%, according to the WFP. About 80% of severe wasting cases involve children under age two, who often arrive at clinics too late.
- "This is a crisis which is getting worse by the day and tragically one which we are unable to contain," said John Aylieff, WFP country director. The agency has halted famine-prevention food distributions in worst-hit areas.
- The WFP needs $500 million over the next six months to stop the crisis from escalating, as nearly 6 million Afghans have returned from neighbouring countries over the past three years, straining limited public services.
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77 Articles
Afghanistan’s child deaths rising amid food aid cuts
ROME — Child malnutrition has reached critical levels in a third of Afghanistan’s provinces and is expected to worsen as funding shortfalls force cuts in food distributions and other support, the U.N. World Food Program said Tuesday.
Some 14 million Afghans are suffering from malnutrition. The World Food Programme warns that the crisis is reaching unprecedented proportions, with dangers extending far beyond the country's borders.
The United Nations has warned of a rise in child mortality in Afghanistan due to food shortages, and 12 provinces of Afghanistan have recorded critical child malnutrition. Due to funding cuts, 142 medical centers closed, more than 13 Thousands of children have lost treatment.
Saudi Gazette
AlKhaleej TodayAfghanistan child malnutrition hits critical levels amid aid cuts, WFP says
Child malnutrition has reached critical levels in a third of Afghanistan's provinces and the situation is expected to worsen as funding shortages force cuts in food aid and other support, according to the UN World Food Program.
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