Afghanistan Peace Campaign
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that a funding shortfall in 2026 is threatening nutrition programmes that support 5.7 million children and mothers across Afghanistan.
OCHA said on Sunday that millions of vulnerable Afghans could lose access to essential health and nutrition services unless humanitarian organisations receive urgent funding. The agency warned that financial constraints are already reducing the capacity of humanitarian partners to respond to growing needs, particularly among children and mothers at risk of malnutrition.
The warning comes as Afghanistan continues to face one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, driven by widespread poverty, food insecurity, weak public services and limited access to healthcare. Years of conflict, economic disruption and restrictions on humanitarian and development activities have left millions of Afghans dependent on international assistance.
Children remain particularly vulnerable. Poor access to nutritious food, clean water, healthcare and sanitation has increased the risk of acute malnutrition, while families struggling with poverty often face difficult choices between buying food and meeting other essential needs.
Women and children are also among the groups most affected by Afghanistan’s broader humanitarian challenges. Restrictions on women’s participation in public life and employment have limited household incomes and complicated the delivery of some humanitarian and health services.
OCHA has previously warned that Afghanistan’s nutrition situation remains concerning, with malnutrition increasing in several parts of the country. Humanitarian organisations have repeatedly called for sustained funding to maintain programmes that provide treatment for malnourished children, maternal nutrition support and essential health services.
The UN agency’s latest warning highlights the potential consequences of declining international humanitarian funding at a time when needs remain extremely high. Funding shortages could force aid agencies to reduce the scale or coverage of nutrition programmes, potentially leaving vulnerable communities without timely assistance.
The situation is particularly concerning in remote and underserved areas, where access to healthcare and humanitarian services is already limited. For families living in poverty, the loss of nutrition programmes could increase the risk of preventable illness and death among children and mothers.
Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis has persisted despite a reduction in large-scale armed conflict since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The country’s economy remains fragile, unemployment and poverty are widespread, and millions continue to struggle to meet basic needs.
International humanitarian agencies have warned that humanitarian assistance remains critical to preventing further deterioration, while stressing that long-term improvements will also require stronger public services, economic opportunities and sustainable development.