Why did the WFP turn away 3 in 4 Afghan children?

Aid cuts have forced painful rationing of services

A sharp drop in funding has left relief programmes in Afghanistan unable to meet needs, forcing the World Food Programme and other agencies to scale back nutrition services. As a result, three out of every four children needing therapeutic or preventive feeding support were turned away. The move reflects a sudden squeeze on resources rather than a sudden fall in need: malnutrition rates are rising and the pipeline of food and cash assistance has been severely disrupted.

How this affects children and communities

Children who miss timely treatment for acute malnutrition face higher risks of illness, developmental delays and death. Reduced access to screening, therapeutic feeding and follow-up care also means health workers may miss warning signs until children are severely ill, placing additional strain on hospitals and families.

Immediate priorities to avert a catastrophe

• Restore and increase donor funding to reopen and sustain nutrition programmes.
• Scale up community screening so children with malnutrition are identified early.
• Ensure supply chains for therapeutic foods remain operational and accessible.
• Provide cash and livelihood support to reduce household food insecurity.

Why it matters beyond Afghanistan

Widespread child malnutrition undermines long-term health, learning and economic potential. The current situation shows how fragile gains can be when funding falters: without urgent international support to restore services and supplies, the crisis will deepen, with lasting consequences for an entire generation.