Afghanistan has recorded the largest increase in child malnutrition ever, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced today.
They pointed out that $539 million is needed to help the most vulnerable families in the country.
Nearly 10 million people, a quarter of Afghanistan's population, face "acute food insecurity."
One in three children is stunted in development as a result.
The WFP said the rise in child malnutrition was linked to a decline in emergency food aid over the past two years due to reduced donor support. In April, the administration of US President Donald Trump suspended food aid to Afghanistan, one of the world's poorest countries.
The US was the WFP's largest funder, providing $4,5 billion of the total $9,8 billion in donations last year.
Food insecurity in Afghanistan has worsened following the mass return of refugees who were expelled from surrounding countries.
Climate change also contributes to the problem, especially in rural areas.
The head of the US National Environmental Protection Agency, Matiullah Kalis, said last week that drought, water shortages, shrinking arable land and flash floods are having a major impact on people's lives and the economy.
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