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Afghanistan: One million children face death from malnutrition
UNICEF has issued an urgent warning that one million children in Afghanistan are at risk of death due to life-threatening severe acute malnutrition. The agency reports that 3.7 million children in the country are currently suffering from wasting.
According to UNICEF representative Tajudeen Oyewale, the crisis is disproportionately affecting the youngest populations. Children under the age of two account for more than 80% of severe acute malnutrition cases, and nearly 40% of children admitted to hospitals for severe wasting and medical complications are infants under six months old.
Data shows a sharp increase in medical complications; cases involving severe acute malnutrition rose by approximately one-third in July 2026 compared to July 2025. In southern Afghanistan, the strain on healthcare is extreme, with some hospitals reporting three to four severely malnourished children for every available bed.
The humanitarian situation is exacerbated by economic collapse following the Taliban's return to power, climate-related disasters, and the return of millions of Afghans from neighboring countries. While the UNICEF nutrition program requires $180 million for the current year, it is currently only 22% funded.
Entities
Afghanistan · Tajudeen Oyewale · Taliban · UNICEF · World Food Programme
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 15 SOURCES] One million children in Afghanistan are at risk of death due to severe acute malnutrition. www.insider.gr · athina984.gr · www.ertnews.gr · amigoearuba.com · information.tv5monde.com · +10 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Nearly 14 million Afghans face acute hunger out of a population exceeding 45 million. www.insider.gr · athina984.gr · www.ertnews.gr · information.tv5monde.com · www.la-croix.com · +5 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] Children under the age of two account for more than 80% of severe acute malnutrition cases in the country. www.insider.gr · athina984.gr · www.ertnews.gr · amigoearuba.com · information.tv5monde.com · +10 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] Severe acute malnutrition cases in children with medical complications have increased by more than one third this year. www.insider.gr · athina984.gr · www.ertnews.gr · information.tv5monde.com · www.la-croix.com · +10 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] A total of 3.7 million children are malnourished, with one million suffering from severe acute malnutrition. www.insider.gr · athina984.gr · www.ertnews.gr · amigoearuba.com · information.tv5monde.com · +10 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] UNICEF's nutrition program in Afghanistan requires $180 million this year, but is currently only 22% funded. athina984.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.insider.gr · information.tv5monde.com · www.la-croix.com · +3 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] In July 2026, more than 8,000 cases were recorded, an increase of one third compared to July 2025. amigoearuba.com · www.euronews.com · thevaultznews.com · www.tr724.com · 1001infos.net · +10 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] Nearly 40% of children admitted to hospitals with severe wasting and medical complications were babies under the age of six months old. amigoearuba.com · www.euronews.com · thevaultznews.com · www.tr724.com · 1001infos.net · +10 more