Afghanistan's child hunger crisis worsens as aid cuts threaten malnutrition treatment

Afghanistan's child hunger crisis is worsening, with 3.7 million children under five facing acute malnutrition this year, a 14 percent increase since 2022. The World Food Programme says 12 provinces have reached critical levels of child malnutrition. Babies under two account for 80 percent of the most severe cases. The crisis is being driven by food shortages, drought, disease, conflict, unemployment and rising prices. Aid agencies warn funding cuts have forced hundreds of health facilities to close or suspend services. Mothers are also struggling to feed their children as poverty and lack of food affect their ability to breastfeed. The World Food Programme says urgent action is needed to prevent more child deaths and provide treatment to hundreds of thousands of acutely malnourished women and children.

Al Jazeera's Cara Legg reports for Al Jazeera.

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