Afghanistan: 3.7 Million Children at Risk of Malnutrition, Lack of Food and Nutrition a Key Factor, UNICEF New Report [Press Release]

One-year-old Zainab eats ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) at a clinic in Herat. Diagnosed with acute malnutrition two weeks prior, she has gained weight through treatment and is on the path to recovery (Afghanistan, photographed June 9, 2026) © UNICEF/UN0877194/

[Released in Kabul, July 12, 2026]

A new report released today by UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) highlights that 3.7 million children under 5 in Afghanistan are at heightened risk of malnutrition, primarily due to insufficient access to adequate food and nutrition. The report emphasizes the urgent need for early intervention to protect children’s diets and prevent life-threatening wasting.

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For the first time at a national scale, UNICEF Afghanistan conducted a joint assessment of malnutrition status and dietary adequacy among the same group of children across the country. The survey identified early warning signs leading to malnutrition, such as reduced food variety, skipped meals, inadequate intake, or prolonged hunger.

The report, 'Too Little, Too Late: The Diet Crisis Facing Young Children in Afghanistan,' was released as the country approaches the peak season for wasting. Data from the Nutrition Cluster, which coordinates nutrition-related support, shows that wasting conditions have worsened in 26 out of 34 provinces compared to 2025. The deterioration ahead of the peak wasting season (July to September) indicates that the crisis is starting earlier and intensifying. Children under 2 are most severely affected, accounting for 83% of severe acute malnutrition cases and 77% of moderate acute malnutrition cases.

'Too Little, Too Late: The Diet Crisis Facing Young Children in Afghanistan' (in English)

Tajudeen Owail, UNICEF Afghanistan Representative, said: 'Young children in Afghanistan are already being pushed into malnutrition even before entering the peak wasting season. The new evidence gives us a chance to act before children fall into severe malnutrition. When families reduce meal frequency or stop buying nutritious foods, it’s not just a sign of worsening hardship—it’s a warning that children may soon become dangerously thin. Treatment saves lives, but we must also invest in prevention. The first step is improving diets for the youngest children and pregnant women.'

The latest alert from the Afghanistan Nutrition Cluster underscores why child nutrition support cannot be isolated. The worsening malnutrition crisis in Afghanistan is driven not only by poor diet quality and rising food insecurity but also by disease outbreaks, low vaccination rates, inadequate water and sanitation services, and growing shortages of funding and supplies. These combined factors increase children’s risk of wasting and highlight the need for coordinated action across nutrition, health, water and sanitation, education, and social protection services.

Zainab (left) and her younger brother Roheen eat lunch at home in Kadistan village, Herat province. In Afghanistan, many children struggle to access nutritious meals (Afghanistan, photographed May 21, 2026) © UNICEF/UNI997924/Khayyam

Wasting is an acute and potentially life-threatening form of malnutrition, defined as being too thin for one’s height. It is often caused by recent food shortages, illness, or both. Without immediate and proper care, it can rapidly endanger a child’s life. New analysis shows that children in households facing severe food insecurity are up to six times more likely to suffer from wasting during the peak season.

UNICEF is calling for urgent investment to protect young children’s diets and prevent more cases of malnutrition, especially ahead of the peak wasting season. This includes scaling up the 'First Foods Initiative,' prioritizing support for children aged 6–23 months, strengthening preventive nutrition services, and better aligning essential services with children’s nutritional needs.

As the peak wasting season approaches, the window for action is narrowing. Warning signs are appearing earlier than before, requiring earlier responses. Urgent and flexible funding is now needed so UNICEF and partners can deliver support to families before children are deprived of adequate food and nutrition and fall into life-threatening malnutrition.

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Notes

The report 'Too Little, Too Late: The Diet Crisis Facing Young Children in Afghanistan' (in English) is available here:

https://www.unicef.org/afghanistan/documents/too-little-too-late

The latest Afghanistan Nutrition Cluster alert (in English) is available here:

https://www.unicef.org/afghanistan/documents/nutrition-situation-alert-afghanistan-nutrition-cluster

The 'First Foods Initiative' is a UNICEF-led effort to ensure infants and young children have access to safe, nutritious complementary foods to prevent malnutrition. Details (in English) are available here:

https://www.unicef.org/afghanistan/documents/first-foods-afghanistan

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About UNICEF

UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) is a United Nations agency that works to promote the rights and well-being of every child. Currently operating in around 190 countries and territories, UNICEF collaborates with numerous partners to turn its vision into action in various forms. With a focus on supporting children in the most difficult circumstances, UNICEF works worldwide to ensure that every child