Afghanistan is facing a deepening child malnutrition emergency, with nearly 10 million people suffering from acute food insecurity and humanitarian agencies warning of a looming catastrophe if immediate action isn’t taken. The World Food Program (WFP) has called for USD 539 million in urgent funding to support vulnerable families, many of whom are on the brink of starvation.
The crisis has escalated rapidly following major cuts to international food aid. One of the most critical blows came in April when the U.S. ceased its food assistance to Afghanistan, despite the country’s longstanding dependency on such support to manage poverty and conflict-related displacement.
WFP officials say the aid shortfall is already taking a toll on children. Hospitals and health clinics across Afghanistan report alarming surges in cases of severe acute malnutrition, with many children arriving too late for life-saving interventions.
The situation is further worsened by mass deportations from neighboring countries, which are adding pressure to already stretched food systems. According to WFP, over 60,000 Afghans were forced to return from Iran in just two months, arriving home to communities grappling with economic instability and dwindling resources.
Climate change is adding another layer of distress. Prolonged droughts and sudden floods both becoming more frequent and severe are crippling agriculture, which remains the backbone of rural livelihoods. In many provinces, farmers have lost entire harvests, pushing communities deeper into hunger and poverty.
The combined effects of aid withdrawal, mass displacement, and climate-induced crop failure have created a perfect storm for Afghan families particularly children. WFP has warned that without renewed international attention and financial support, the crisis could spiral further out of control, with irreversible consequences for the country’s youngest and most vulnerable.
Health experts are also raising alarms about the long-term effects of chronic malnutrition, including stunted growth, weakened immunity, and poor cognitive development threatening the future of an entire generation.