Rietveld stressed that without treatment for acute malnutrition, many children are at a high risk of death, asserting that 'no child should die because of malnutrition.'

Cobi Rietveld, the country director for Action Against Hunger, has issued a dire warning that recent U.S. funding cuts to humanitarian aid will result in the deaths of Afghan children.

This crisis is compounded by the fact that more than 3.5 million children in Afghanistan are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2025, marking a 20% increase from the previous year.

The U.S. administration, under President Donald Trump, has canceled foreign aid contracts, significantly impacting Afghanistan, where over half of the population relies on humanitarian assistance.

Dr. Abdul Hamid Salehi highlighted the severe crisis faced by Afghan mothers, as high poverty levels prevent families from accessing treatment for malnourished children in private clinics.

Decades of conflict, persistent poverty, and climate shocks have worsened Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis, with the U.S. historically providing 43% of international humanitarian funding to the country.

Rietveld also noted that other NGOs are experiencing funding cuts, which could lead to even more child deaths from malnutrition as resources dwindle.

Action Against Hunger halted all U.S.-funded activities in March 2025 but managed to continue critical services in Badakhshan province and Kabul until funding completely ceased this month.

Despite the dire situation, families remain hopeful that funding will resume or that new sponsors will emerge to continue providing essential services.

Now, the therapeutic feeding unit in Kabul is set to close due to a lack of patients and expiring staff contracts, leaving vulnerable children without necessary care.

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan underscores the urgent need for international support to prevent further suffering and loss of life.

Many children arriving at feeding units are severely malnourished, often unable to walk or eat due to lack of energy, with services provided including three meals a day.