Kabul: One in 10 children in Afghanistan is acutely malnourished as nearly 600 health facilities face closure due to significant funding cuts. The crisis is exacerbated by a sharp increase in the number of children under five suffering from wasting, according to Save the Children.

According to Save the Children, the situation has worsened in two-thirds of the provinces during the second quarter of 2026 compared to the previous year. This increase is primarily driven by a surge in infectious diseases. The peak season for malnutrition coincides with the Taliban's return to power five years ago. The past four years have seen a 14% rise in acute malnutrition among children under five, affecting 3.7 million children. Concurrently, humanitarian aid has plummeted by nearly 70%, from $3.27 billion in 2022 to just $1 billion in 2025, with a 74% funding gap persisting well into 2026.

The funding cuts have led to the shutdown or suspension of nearly 600 health facilities, impacting approximately four million people, half of whom are children. Save the Children has managed to keep 14 clinics operational with short-term funding, providing crucial services in remote areas. However, these clinics' future is uncertain.

In northern Afghanistan, a Save the Children clinic serves as the sole healthcare provider for 10,000 people. The clinic treats over 100 patients daily, with some traveling for hours on foot to access medical care. Limited and costly transport options further complicate access to city hospitals, which can cost up to US$60. If the clinic closes, patients would face a seven-hour walk for treatment.

Sama, a local resident, relies on Save the Children's clinic for her seven children. When her nine-month-old son Mustafa showed signs of malnutrition, the clinic provided treatment and guidance on preparing nutritious meals, enabling his recovery. Without treatment, acute malnutrition can be life-threatening, but with timely intervention, recovery is possible.

Marva, a nutrition nurse at the clinic, highlighted the challenges faced by the community before the clinic's establishment. Accessing healthcare often required long, costly journeys, with winter weather further impeding access.

Since early 2025, about 700,000 people, including 140,000 children under five, have lost access to primary health services due to aid cuts. Afghanistan's population has grown by up to 12% since September 2023, adding pressure to the already strained humanitarian resources as more than six million people return from Iran and Pakistan.

Ashish Damle, Country Director of Save the Children in Afghanistan, emphasized the urgent need for international support. He warned that severe hunger, mass displacement, and economic challenges are pushing families to their breaking point, urging the international community to act before the situation deteriorates further.

Save the Children has operated in Afghanistan since 1976, providing services across health, nutrition, education, and more. Despite ongoing challenges, the organization reached over two million people last year, including nearly 5,000 children treated for severe acute malnutrition.