The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that by October 2026, it has supported 87 centers for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition across 25 provinces in Afghanistan. According to the organization, these centers have provided life-saving services to 27,403 children under the age of five.
In a report, the UN-affiliated agency added that to improve the quality of care, it has trained 74 female health workers in treating severe acute malnutrition cases with medical complications. This program is part of oader efforts to strengthen Afghanistan's health system, which faces numerous challenges.
The WHO also stated that this year it helped enhance malnutrition treatment services by supplying essential medicines, nutrition packages, medical equipment, and infusion devices. The organization stressed that timely access to treatment, basic health services, clean water, and disease prevention is vital for protecting the health of women and children.
These actions come as the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan continues to worsen. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned last week that humanitarian aid cannot forever replace a functioning economy and governance. According to OCHA, nearly 16 million people in Afghanistan face severe hunger, with 3.4 million of them in emergency conditions.
Based on food security analyses, the number of people facing acute food insecurity in Afghanistan is projected to rise to 19.2 million during the upcoming winter due to reduced purchasing power. Among them, at least five million are expected to be in an emergency state of hunger.
Concerns about the future of children are also growing. According to UN statistics, more than four million children between six months and five years of age are expected to require treatment for acute malnutrition in 2027. This figure highlights the depth of the crisis, which requires immediate international attention and sustainable domestic action.
Source: United Nations
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