Malnutrition stalks the vulnerable in Afghanistan
Summary
Malnutrition is surging across Afghanistan as hunger deepens, with millions of women and children at risk and hospitals overwhelmed by severe cases. Aid cuts, poverty and ongoing crises have left families unable to afford enough food, pushing many children toward life-threatening illness.
Key Points
- Acute hunger is affecting an estimated 19 million people in Afghanistan, nearly 40% of the population, according to the World Food Program.
- Five-point-three million women and children will need treatment for acute malnutrition in the coming year, up from 2022 levels.
- The Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kabul is operating at capacity, with only 20 malnutrition beds and more patients than space.
- Aid cuts and economic collapse after the Taliban takeover have worsened food insecurity, while families struggle to afford basic staples.
