The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that acute malnutrition is increasing in Afghanistan, with more than four million children projected to need treatment in 2027.
The organisation reported on Thursday, October 15, that the number of provinces in Afghanistan experiencing critical levels of malnutrition increased from seven in 2025 to 10 in 2026 and is projected to reach 14 in 2027.
According to the report, approximately 1.9 million children will suffer from severe acute malnutrition next year, while nearly three million others will experience moderate acute malnutrition.
Nearly 1.3 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are also projected to face malnutrition.
UNICEF said food poverty, limited access to safe water, outbreaks of preventable diseases and funding shortages were among the factors exacerbating the crisis.
The organisation warned that disruptions to the cross-border transportation of essential nutritional supplies had also hampered aid delivery and delayed children’s access to treatment.
