US Aid Cuts Force Afghan Clinic Closures, 3.5 Million Children Face Malnutrition, 10% to Lose Healthcare

13 posts • GPT (4.1)

Updated Apr 16, 2025, 05:14 PM

Afghanistan is experiencing its worst surge in malnutrition in recorded history, with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warning that 3.5 million children are projected to suffer from malnutrition in the coming year. The crisis has been exacerbated by the suspension of U.S. humanitarian aid, particularly cuts to emergency food assistance, which has severely impacted food security and access to healthcare for millions of Afghans. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that more than 10 percent of Afghanistan’s population could lose access to healthcare by the end of 2025 due to the decline in international aid, especially from the United States. Aid agencies report that malnutrition treatment centers in Kabul and Badakhshan have been forced to shut down, leaving children without care and medical staff without jobs. Action Against Hunger, which managed a clinic in Kabul, has closed its therapeutic feeding unit and laid off 150 of its 900 staff after U.S. funding cuts, which previously made up 30% of its local budget. The clinic had treated an average of 65 children per month. The funding crisis has placed the greatest burden on vulnerable groups, especially women and children. Afghanistan’s maternal mortality rate is nearly three times the global average, and the country has one of the highest rates of stunting among children worldwide. Women made up the majority of the 40 staff at the Action Against Hunger child nutrition center. In addition, 15 million Afghans are currently food insecure, with 3.1 million on the brink of famine. The unemployment rate reached 12.2% in 2024, and 45% of the population is under 14 years old. The situation is compounded by economic decline, rising inflation, the return of Afghan migrants from Pakistan, and restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women’s employment and education in the healthcare sector. International organizations have called for the restoration and continuation of critical humanitarian aid to prevent worsening of Afghanistan’s health and nutrition systems.

More breaking stories on DeepNewz — updated live.

#Afghanistan #Afghan #World Health Organization #WHO #United States #Kabul #Badakhshan #Action Against Hunger #Pakistan #Taliban

Related Prediction Markets

April Unemployment Rate

US recession in 2025?

April Inflation - Monthly

•

View market suggestions→

Sources

amu.tv(4)expresso.pt(3)english.alarabiya.net(2)newarab.com

Al Arabiya English

@AlArabiya_Eng

Save the Children says that more than 400,000 children in #Syria are at risk of “severe malnutrition” after the United States suspended aid, forcing the charity to slash operations in the war-torn country. https://t.co/x6XBLK4rdD

Amu TV

@AmuTelevision

The World Food Program says Afghanistan is facing the most severe malnutrition in its history and the country is witnessing an unprecedented state of emergency for malnutrition among children. https://t.co/SaSWu33To4

The New Arab

@The_NewArab

At a malnutrition treatment centre in Afghanistan's capital, the cries of children have given way to a heavy silence, as patients are turned away and medical staff laid off due to US aid cuts https://t.co/YlqxTjqRSu