One Million Afghan Children Suffering ‘Life-threatening’ Malnutrition, UNICEF Says
Published August 26, 2026 | 01:00 PM
(APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 26th Aug, 2026) According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), around one million Afghan children are facing life-threatening malnutrition.
Across Afghanistan, a staggering 3.7 million children are suffering from wasting, a severe form of malnutrition. Among them, one million are battling the most acute and dangerous form.
Malnutrition weakens the immune system, making children more susceptible to common infections. UNICEF highlighted that children under two account for 83% of severe acute malnutrition cases.
Hospitals are struggling to cope with the rising demand, with some regions in southern Afghanistan reporting three to four severely malnourished children for every available bed. The number of severe acute malnutrition cases admitted with medical complications has increased by one-third since last year, from 6,000 in July 2025 to 8,000 by July 2026.
This crisis is attributed to environmental and political factors. Afghanistan’s recurring droughts, followed by heavy rainfall and flash floods, have contributed to the situation. The ongoing regional instability has also disrupted cross-border trade, impacting families’ abilities to feed their children properly. Meals are becoming smaller, less frequent, and less nutritionally diverse.
UNICEF shared the story of Sagida, a nine-month-old girl from a remote village in eastern Afghanistan who suffered severe acute malnutrition due to recent floods. A UNICEF-trained health worker identified her condition and referred her to a hospital, where she received therapeutic milk and stabilized.
However, the agency expressed concern about funding cuts to humanitarian aid, with over 100 sites treating children with severe wasting closing this year compared to 2025. Their nutrition program has only received 22% of the $180 million required for the year.
