Archive · 17 Dec 2025
Afghan hunger crisis worsens amid aid shortfall
Afghanistan is facing a very serious hunger problem, especially for children.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) usually helps by giving food, but this year they don't have enough money to help everyone who needs it.
This is because countries around the world have been giving less money to Afghanistan since 2021.
Also, there have been big earthquakes and many Afghans have come back from other countries, making the problem worse.
Without enough food, many children are getting very sick, and some are dying.
The WFP needs $460 million to help, but they've only received a small part of that so far.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) lacks sufficient funds to provide adequate food assistance to millions of Afghans facing hunger.
Child malnutrition in Afghanistan is at its highest level in decades, with 3.7 million children acutely malnourished, including 1 million severe cases.
The WFP requires $460 million to deliver food assistance to 6 million of the most vulnerable Afghans but is currently only 12% funded.
The hunger crisis has been exacerbated by a significant reduction in international aid since 2021, natural disasters, and the return of millions of Afghans from neighboring countries.
The crisis is expected to worsen during Afghanistan's freezing winter months, with a likely increase in child deaths due to food scarcity.
- Who
- Afghan people, especially children, and the UN World Food Programme (WFP)
- What
- A severe hunger crisis in Afghanistan due to insufficient aid funding
- When
- The crisis is worsening as winter approaches, with immediate concerns for the current winter season
- Where
- Afghanistan, with specific mention of Kabul
- Why
- Due to a significant reduction in international aid since 2021, compounded by natural disasters and the return of millions of Afghans from neighboring countries
- Funding Needed
- $460 million
- People Facing Hunger
- 17 million
- Acute Malnourished Children
- 3.7 million
- Severe Malnourished Children
- 1 million
- Current Funding Level
- 12%
