Humanitarian Crisis Deepens; Onset of Winter Expected to Worsen Food Access
Kabul, Afghanistan (ATP): The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued an alarming warning, stating that 3.5 million children in Afghanistan are currently suffering from severe malnutrition due to the country’s worsening humanitarian conditions and a sharp decline in aid operations.
According to reports, The agency cautioned that the crisis is leaving millions of Afghans at risk, a situation further compounded by chronic drought, economic collapse, and recent restrictions on aid delivery. The WFP reiterated its previous warnings that Afghan women are already losing their children to malnutrition, and stressed that the imminent onset of winter would further worsen inadequate food access.
International aid to Afghanistan has been shrinking significantly due to global funding shifts and operational challenges, including restrictions imposed by the de facto authorities. This decline has severely curtailed the ability of agencies like the WFP to reach all those in need.
Despite facing these difficulties, the WFP stated it is working to support Afghan children through food-assistance programs, including the distribution of specialized nutritious foods and school meals. However, the agency and other humanitarian partners warn that without sustained and increased support, the crisis—especially during the harsh winter months—could drive malnutrition rates even higher, threatening a generation of children.