---
title: "Afghan child malnutrition surges as aid cuts force clinics to turn families away, WFP says"
description: "Child malnutrition in Afghanistan has reached critical levels and aid shortages are forcing health workers to turn away millions of children and mothers — six in seven of those in need — the U.N. World Food Programme said on Tuesday."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "World"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-04-afghan-child-malnutrition-surges-as-aid-cuts-force-clinics-to-turn-families-away-wfp-says/"
published: "2026-08-04T12:20:33"
updated: "2026-08-04T12:26:12"
lang: "en-ZA"
---

# Afghan child malnutrition surges as aid cuts force clinics to turn families away, WFP says

> Child malnutrition in Afghanistan has reached critical levels and aid shortages are forcing health workers to turn away millions of children and mothers — six in seven of those in need — the U.N. World Food Programme said on Tuesday.

By Reuters · Published 4 August 2026, 14:20 SAST · Updated 4 August 2026, 14:26 SAST