Geneva, Aug. 4 (SANA)The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday that child malnutrition inAfghanistanhas reached critical levels, as funding shortages have forced health workers to reduce access to treatment for millions of children and mothers in need.

WFP Afghanistan Country DirectorJohn Ayliefftold reporters in Geneva that child wasting, the most severe form of malnutrition, has reached critical levels in one-third of Afghanistan’s provinces, with the number of children arriving at health centers increasing sharply.

Child wasting occurs when children lose significant weight compared with their height due to insufficient food intake, illness, or both.

“This is a crisis that is worsening day by day, and unfortunately we cannot contain it,” Aylieff said.He said around 80% of the most severe cases involve children under the age of two, with many reaching health facilities too late for effective treatment.

The deterioration comes as Afghanistan faces trade disruptions linked to conflict, the return of large numbers of Afghans from neighboring countries and a sharp decline in international aid.

Aylieff said nearly 6 million Afghans have been forcibly returned from neighboring countries over the past three years since deportation policies began in late 2023, placing additional pressure on the labor market and public services.

The WFP said prices of basic food items have increased by 20% to 30%, while around 14 million Afghans are facing acute hunger. It added that although an improved harvest this year has provided some relief, economic pressures, large-scale returns and reduced aid have limited its impact.

The agency said funding shortages have significantly reduced its operations. Since January 2025, the United States, traditionally its largest donor, along with several European countries, has reduced its financial contributions.

The WFP said it can now reach only one in seven women and children suffering from acute malnutrition, compared with one in four children who needed treatment in March.

It added that it has suspended food assistance programs aimed at preventing famine in the worst-affected areas due to funding shortages.

The WFP said it needs $500 million over the next six months to prevent the crisis from worsening.