UN: Malnutrition in Afghanistan reaches critical levels ahead of peak season

Elaha Mon Jun 2026 3 months ago 494

OCHA announced on Monday (26 Jowza) on the social network X that new evidence indicates a rapid deterioration in the nutritional situation across Afghanistan. The agency has emphasized that the peak malnutrition season began in July and will continue for at least three to four months; a development that could exacerbate the existing crisis.


According to this report, the acute malnutrition situation has worsened in 26 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces compared to 2025; a sign of an early onset and intensification of the crisis ahead of the peak season (July to September).


The Nutrition Network has also expressed concern, stating that 12 provinces—including Helmand, Daykundi, Zabul, Baghlan, Uruzgan, Paktika, Nuristan, Sar-e Pol, Ghor, Kandahar, Faryab, and Logar—remain in a critical state. According to the network, some of these areas, particularly in the south of the country, are in Phase 4 of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.


The report states that the main factors driving this crisis include poor child feeding, inadequate breastfeeding, food insecurity, high disease prevalence, shortages of water, sanitation, and hygiene services, and limited access to nutritional care.


Based on the findings, around 40 percent of infants under six months are admitted to treatment centers for severe malnutrition accompanied by medical complications; a situation that has placed significant strain on the health system.


Children under two years of age have also suffered the most, accounting for 83 percent of severe acute malnutrition cases and 77 percent of moderate acute malnutrition cases.


The report further shows that child food insecurity has risen from 40 percent in the third quarter of 2025 to 47 percent in the first quarter of 2026.


Despite the deteriorating situation, mortality rates have remained within the acceptable range of Sphere standards; although this situation has been described as fragile.


The report concludes that, based on estimates from the Integrated Phase Classification of Acute Malnutrition, around 3.7 million children in Afghanistan will face varying degrees of malnutrition in 2026, including 942,000 cases of severe acute malnutrition, approximately 707,000 cases of high-risk moderate acute malnutrition, and nearly two million cases of moderate acute malnutrition. Additionally, 1.2 million pregnant and lactating women are also at risk.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned in a report that without an immediate and widespread increase in preventive measures and vital nutritional interventions, the malnutrition situation in Afghanistan is likely to worsen this calendar year.

ilaha

Maybe you are interested

    Comments

Leave a Reply

About Us

Address 2933 41k St
London, UK

Contact
+1 (825) 973-2079
[email protected]

News Letter

Latest Tweet

Popular Categories

Education Sport War Afghanistan Agriculture World Women USA Election