UNICEF and Action Against Hunger warn Afghanistan’s acute malnutrition to worsen in 2027, with over 4 million children projected to need treatment

India, Oct. 19 -- UNICEF and Action Against Hunger, chair and co-chair of the Afghanistan Nutrition Cluster, said in a press release dated Oct. 15, 2026 that acute malnutrition is worsening across Afghanistan, with over 4 million children expected to require treatment in 2027, the highest number recorded in the past five years.

IPC findings and projections

UNICEF and Action Against Hunger said the latest Integrated Phase Classification for Acute Malnutrition, released on Oct. 15, 2026, shows the situation is expected to worsen next year.

They said the number of provinces facing critical levels of malnutrition increased from seven in 2025 to 10 in 2026 and is projected to reach 14 in 2027, described as more than one-third of Afghanistan’s...