What You Need to Know
• Save the Children reports that one in 10 Afghan children under five suffers from acute malnourishment.
• The number of affected children has risen by 14 percent over four years, impacting 3.7 million children in 2026.
• Humanitarian aid to Afghanistan has decreased by nearly 70 percent since the Taliban takeover in August 2021.
New research from Save the Children has revealed that one in 10 infants and very young children in Afghanistan is currently experiencing acute malnourishment. This condition, characterized by a significant and rapid decline in weight or nutritional health, is worsening as essential healthcare services are shutting down due to insufficient funding. According to United Nations data cited by Save the Children, the prevalence of malnutrition among children under five is increasing, with levels of acute malnutrition deteriorating in two-thirds of Afghanistan’s provinces in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the previous year. The organization noted that humanitarian aid has plummeted from $3.27 billion in 2022 to $1 billion in 2025, leading to the closure of approximately 600 healthcare facilities that previously served around 4 million people, half of whom were children.
Why It Matters
The situation in Afghanistan is critical as Save the Children highlights the alarming rise in acute malnutrition among young children. The decline in humanitarian aid following the Taliban’s takeover has severely impacted healthcare access, contributing to the malnutrition crisis. With only $438 million secured in humanitarian aid for 2026, there is a significant funding gap of 74 percent. This decline in support has resulted in the closure of essential health services, leaving vulnerable populations without necessary medical care.
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