UN warns of rising malnutrition and polio threats in Afghanistan
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that the number of malnourished children under five in Afghanistan could reach 3.5 million by 2025. Over the past five years, an estimated three million children have suffered from acute malnutrition.
In a statement on Tuesday, OCHA urged the international community to increase humanitarian aid, particularly for infants and mothers, highlighting that widespread poverty and hunger, especially among women and children, are major contributors to the crisis.
UNICEF previously reported that 2.9 million Afghan children experienced acute malnutrition in 2023, while the World Food Programme estimated nearly four million children and nursing mothers were affected. OCHA projects that by 2025, approximately 22.9 million Afghans will need humanitarian assistance, requiring $2.24 billion in funding. However, only 40% of the $3.06 billion requested for 2024 has been secured.
Meanwhile, concerns are growing over the potential impact of U.S. funding cuts on efforts to eradicate polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan—the last two countries where the virus remains. WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Hanan Balkhy, warned Wednesday that the U.S. decision to suspend foreign aid could disrupt polio surveillance and vaccination efforts.
The U.S. government recently paused most foreign aid for 90 days to review its funding commitments. President Donald Trump also announced the country’s withdrawal from WHO, citing concerns over the organization’s management.
In 2024, Afghanistan reported 25 polio cases, while Pakistan recorded 73. No new cases have been confirmed in Afghanistan in 2025, but Pakistani officials recently reported the year’s first infection.
