KABUL, Afghanistan – Malnutrition is dramatically increasing among Afghanistan's most vulnerable populations, with millions facing acute hunger as a sharp decline in international aid has left humanitarian organizations unable to provide sufficient assistance. The World Food Program (WFP) warns that nearly 40% of the population, approximately 19 million people, could face life-threatening hunger in the coming months.
Acute malnutrition, which can be fatal if left untreated, is at unprecedented levels. The WFP estimates that 5.3 million women and children will require treatment for acute malnutrition in the next year, an increase of 1.3 million from 2022. Children are particularly at risk due to their higher nutritional needs during development.
Several overlapping crises have contributed to the dire situation in Afghanistan, one of the world's poorest countries. Decades of war, the closure of border crossings with Pakistan, the forced return of over 5 million Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan since 2023, and natural disasters like drought, floods, and earthquakes have strained limited resources. The ongoing crisis in the Middle East has also impacted global economies, including Afghanistan's.