Child Hunger Crisis in Afghanistan

A severe child hunger crisis is affecting Afghanistan. According to the international aid organization Save the Children, 3.7 million children under the age of 5 are at risk of malnutrition. The main reason for this situation is the sharp decline in humanitarian aid. Approximately 600 basic health centers were closed due to financial shortages, and only 26% of the required aid funding was provided for 2026. The malnutrition among young children in Afghanistan is increasing. According to UN data, about one in ten children under the age of 5 in the country is facing malnutrition. In the last four years, acute malnutrition among children under 5 has increased by 14%, and the number of children affected by this condition reached 3.7 million in 2026. Acute malnutrition means that a child loses weight rapidly and has a dangerously low weight for their height, which can lead to life-threatening conditions.