The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced that approximately 3.7 million children in Afghanistan are facing acute malnutrition.
In a report published the agency stated that without preventive and life-saving nutritional interventions, the nutritional situation is likely to worsen throughout the year 2026.
The announcement indicated that the nutritional status in Afghanistan is rapidly deteriorating, with the rate of acute malnutrition increasing in 26 out of 34 provinces compared to the year 2025.
The UN humanitarian coordination office noted that this deterioration has occurred before the peak season for acute malnutrition (July to September), indicating an early and escalating crisis.
The report highlighted that factors contributing to this situation include inappropriate breastfeeding practices, inadequate diet and care for children, increasing food insecurity, high disease prevalence, lack of access to water, health services, and sanitation, as well as reduced access to nutritional services.
It further stated that nearly 40% of infants under six months are hospitalized for treatment due to severe malnutrition, reflecting increased vulnerability in the youngest age group and mounting pressure on health services.
OCHA reported that children under two years old have been disproportionately affected, accounting for 83% of severe malnutrition cases and 77% of moderate malnutrition cases. It is also estimated that 19% of cases fall into the high-risk category.
OCHA projected that around 3.7 million children will experience malnutrition in 2026, including 942,000 cases of severe malnutrition, 707,404 cases of moderate malnutrition at risk, and two million cases of moderate malnutrition in the early stages. Additionally, it is expected that 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women will also be affected.
