The United Nations has warned that Afghanistan’s child hunger crisis is worsening, with 3.7 million children suffering from acute wasting caused by malnutrition.
According to the UN, around one million children among those affected are experiencing a severe and potentially life-threatening form of malnutrition, placing them at extremely high risk without urgent treatment and nutritional support.
The figures highlight the deepening humanitarian challenges facing children across Afghanistan, where poverty, food insecurity and limited access to essential services continue to affect vulnerable families.
Acute wasting occurs when children experience severe weight loss or fail to gain sufficient weight because of inadequate nutrition and illness. Severe acute malnutrition can significantly weaken a child’s immune system and increase the risk of disease and death.
The UN has repeatedly called for increased humanitarian assistance to address Afghanistan’s worsening food and nutrition crisis. Children remain among the most vulnerable groups, particularly in families struggling to afford sufficient and nutritious food.
Humanitarian agencies continue to provide nutritional assistance and treatment to children suffering from malnutrition, but the scale of the crisis remains a major concern.
The latest warning underscores the urgent need for sustained international support to prevent further deterioration in child nutrition and ensure that vulnerable Afghan children receive life-saving food, medical care and other essential services.