The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that Afghanistan is confronting a severe child malnutrition crisis, with reduced international aid leaving millions of children and their families without access to food and medical care.
The organization stated on Thursday, February 19, 2026, that of the four million children suffering from acute malnutrition, three out of every four are now unable to receive assistance due to budget constraints.
John Aylieff, WFP Director in Afghanistan, described this as the highest increase in malnutrition in the country’s history, putting the lives of millions of children at risk.
He added that funding cuts have prevented the organization from meeting the needs of approximately 17.4 million people, and even the aid that reaches some recipients falls short of actual needs.
This food crisis has intensified following the suspension of direct U.S. aid and reduced budgets from other humanitarian agencies.
Aylieff noted that women and breastfeeding mothers have been disproportionately affected, with increasing reports of despair and even thoughts of suicide among them.
Many families in remote areas of Afghanistan continue to face severe food shortages, and numerous children lack access to malnutrition treatment centers.
