KABUL – In a statement, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said inadequate funding for 2026 is threatening the continuity of basic nutrition programmes as humanitarian agencies struggle to meet growing needs across the country.

OCHA said millions of the most vulnerable Afghans could be left without vital health and nutrition support unless donors provide urgent financial assistance. It noted that funding constraints have already begun to undermine the capacity of humanitarian organisations to respond effectively, particularly for children and mothers vulnerable to malnutrition.

The agency said Afghanistan continues to face one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, driven by widespread poverty, food insecurity, weakened public services, limited access to healthcare, and the long-term effects of conflict and economic instability.

According to OCHA, children remain the hardest-hit group, with shortages of food, clean water, healthcare and sanitation significantly increasing the risk of acute malnutrition.

The UN also cautioned that declining international funding could force aid agencies to reduce or scale back their nutrition programs, potentially depriving the most vulnerable, particularly in remote areas, of essential assistance and increasing the risk of preventable illness and death.