# Afghan child malnutrition worsens as food aid faces funding cuts 2026-08-06T19:55:37+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Nearly 3.7 million Afghan children and 1.2 million pregnant or breastfeeding women are projected to suffer acute malnutrition this year, the UN World Food Programme said. Twelve provinces have reached critical levels, the highest recorded number, while wasting has worsened in more than three-quarters of the country, according to UN officials. WFP said 142 health centres closed in 2025 after aid reductions, cutting treatment access for more than 13,000 children. Food distributions to prevent famine will be suspended from August to October, the peak malnutrition season, because of funding shortages. The agency needs $540 million for the next six months. Afghanistan’s wider humanitarian appeal is just over 26% funded, the UN said. ## Coverage - thehindu.com Tags: Afghanistan, child malnutrition, food security, humanitarian aid, WFP Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/afghan-child-malnutrition-worsens-as-food-aid-faces-funding-cuts/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/afghan-child-malnutrition-worsens-as-food-aid-faces-funding-cuts/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.