Afghanistan faces acute child malnutrition crisis amid aid cuts

Save the Children has issued an alarm regarding a severe malnutrition crisis in Afghanistan, reporting that nearly one in ten children under the age of five suffers from wasting, a form of acute malnutrition. In the second quarter of 2026, acute malnutrition worsened in approximately two-thirds of Afghan provinces compared to the previous year, exacerbated by the spread of infectious diseases.

Over the last four years, acute malnutrition among children under five has increased by 14%, affecting an estimated 3.7 million children in 2026. This crisis is compounded by a drastic reduction in international aid; funding for Afghanistan dropped from $3.27 billion in 2022 to $1 billion in 2025. For 2026, only $438 million has been collected, leaving a 74% funding deficit.

The lack of resources has led to the closure or suspension of nearly 600 health facilities, leaving roughly 4 million people—half of whom are children—without medical assistance. While Save the Children has managed to keep 14 clinics operational through temporary funding, the future of these essential services remains at risk.