More than 3.5 million children in Afghanistan are suffering from acute malnutrition, with 1 million classified as severely wasted, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which has described the crisis as one of the worst in the world.
In a statement posted on X, UNICEF said the nutrition emergency in Afghanistan ranks among the most dire globally. The agency also noted that it has established nutrition centers across the country with its partners, where roughly 40 children receive medical services each day.
The warning comes amid mounting concerns over funding shortfalls. In a report released earlier this year, the World Food Programme (WFP) said it had been forced to scale back its malnutrition treatment program in Afghanistan by 60 percent due to a lack of resources. The reduction, it said, has left some 1.7 million women and children without access to critical care.
WFP emphasized that the cuts come at a time when Afghanistan’s food crisis is worsening amid deepening economic hardship. Rates of malnutrition have reached historic highs, and millions—especially women and children—are unable to receive the lifesaving treatment they need.
The agency warned that the scaling down of food and health services is having a severe impact on public health, particularly in remote and underserved areas. Vulnerable populations now face significantly heightened risks, it said.
Afghanistan remains one of the world’s largest humanitarian emergencies, with more than two-thirds of the population in need of assistance. Aid agencies continue to call for increased international funding to sustain essential health and nutrition programs.
