Afghanistan is grappling with its most severe child malnutrition crisis in recent history, as nearly one in three children under the age of five suffer from stunted growth due to acute food shortages and collapsing healthcare infrastructure. The crisis has intensified following the suspension of U.S. humanitarian aid, devastating climate events, and the mass deportation of Afghan nationals from neighboring countries.

The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that around 9.8 million people, roughly one-fourth of Afghanistan’s population, are facing acute food insecurity. This includes over 3.5 million children expected to suffer from acute malnutrition between June 2024 and May 2025, nearly 867,000 of whom are projected to require urgent therapeutic care.

The situation worsened significantly after the U.S. halted all foreign and humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in April 2025. The withdrawal of funds led to the shutdown of over 420 health facilities, cutting off essential medical services for more than 3 million people. Aid agencies like Action Against Hunger have been forced to close therapeutic feeding centers, leaving countless malnourished children untreated.

WFP, which previously assisted up to 10 million people, now has the capacity to reach only 1 million due to financial constraints. The organization has urgently appealed for \$539 million to continue operations through January, along with an additional \$15 million to support over 60,000 Afghan returnees from Iran.

The collapse of healthcare systems has also resulted in a spike in preventable diseases such as measles and malaria, especially in rural and mountainous regions. Health professionals report widespread shortages of medicines, trained staff, and access to clean water, forcing many families to rely on traditional remedies in place of formal medical care.

Environmental challenges have further compounded the humanitarian emergency. Frequent droughts and flash floods have decimated crops and livestock, pushing rural families deeper into poverty and hunger. Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency warns that climate-related disasters are having a profound impact on food production and economic stability.

Additionally, mass deportations from Iran and Pakistan have brought thousands of returnees into a system already on the brink. Humanitarian agencies report that these populations lack basic shelter, food, and health services, further increasing pressure on already strained resources.

Aid groups are calling for an immediate international response to avoid further catastrophe. Without urgent funding, they warn, Afghanistan could see a dramatic increase in child mortality and long-term developmental setbacks for an entire generation.

The United Nations and its partners stress that while political considerations remain complex, humanitarian aid must remain impartial and life-saving support must continue. As the world watches, Afghanistan’s children face a future where survival itself is uncertain unless decisive action is taken now.