AFGHANISTAN Nutrition Cluster Bulletin, Jan-Mar 2026 – Afghanistan
Between January and March 2026, the Afghanistan Nutrition Cluster provided critical health services to 856,362 beneficiaries, reaching 16% of its annual target. The coalition, comprised of 65 partners including UN agencies and international and national NGOs, utilized a network of fixed and temporary facilities to deliver therapeutic nutrition and counseling services across the country.
Did You Know? The Nutrition Cluster’s outreach efforts, particularly maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN) counseling, have reached 481,841 pregnant and lactating women and caregivers, accounting for 21% of the annual goal for this specific service.
Distribution of Nutrition Services
The cluster’s operations are divided into several specialized programs aimed at treating acute malnutrition. By the end of March 2026, the Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) reached 15% of its annual target, admitting 105,121 children under five. Inpatient treatment centers, which manage severe acute malnutrition with complications, provided care to 9,237 children, achieving 13% of the projected annual coverage.
Moderate acute malnutrition remains a significant focus. The Targeted Supplementary Feeding Program (TSFP) admitted 148,178 children and 58,324 pregnant and breastfeeding women. Meanwhile, the Blanket Supplementary Feeding Program (BSFP) enrolled 120,822 children and 51,252 pregnant and breastfeeding women to address broader nutritional needs.
Infrastructure and Geographic Reach
Service delivery is supported by an extensive network of health facilities across Afghanistan. The OTP is currently active in 336 districts, utilizing 2,905 fixed sites and 112 temporary locations. The TSFP operates in 309 districts, supported by 1,437 fixed and 53 temporary facilities. Additionally, the cluster maintained 134 inpatient treatment centers for severe acute malnutrition cases as of March 2026.
Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the current coverage rates—ranging from 7% to 21% of annual targets across various programs—indicate that the majority of the planned humanitarian work remains ahead for the remaining three quarters of the year. The heavy reliance on fixed facility infrastructure suggests that maintaining consistent service levels could be highly dependent on the operational stability of these health sites throughout 2026.
Future Operational Outlook
The cluster’s ability to meet its annual targets may depend on the sustained participation of its 65 partners, which include the Ministry of Public Health (PND/MoPH). Given that many programs are currently at 8% to 15% of their annual goals, analysts might expect a potential scaling of temporary health facilities if patient intake increases during the coming months. Future performance will likely be shaped by the continued availability of essential nutrition supplies and the accessibility of these 336 districts to the local population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many children were treated for severe acute malnutrition with complications?
A total of 9,237 children under five, including 5,138 girls and 4,099 boys, were treated in inpatient SAM centers during the first quarter of 2026.
What is the primary objective of the MIYCN counseling program?
The program aims to improve breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices for children aged 0-23 months, having reached 481,841 women and caregivers by March 2026.
Who makes up the Afghanistan Nutrition Cluster?
The cluster is composed of 65 partners, including 4 UN agencies, 18 international NGOs, 41 national NGOs, and the PND/MoPH.
How do you think community-based nutritional support impacts long-term health outcomes in these regions?