Child malnutrition in Nepal has reached ‘alarming’ levels since aid cuts, survey finds
Summary
A large survey in Nepal found that child malnutrition has reached very serious levels since major U.S. aid stopped in 2025. The survey showed that many young children are underweight or too thin for their height, which increases their risk of illness and death.Key Facts
- The survey covered over one million children aged 6 months to 5 years across Nepal in May.
- Rates of malnutrition were especially high in Madhesh province, with 12.3% of children wasted and 24.2% underweight.
- Overall in Nepal, 7.8% of children were wasted and 17.4% were underweight.
- USAID ended funding for nutrition programs in Nepal in 2025 after being closed by President Trump’s administration.
- Nutrition programs supported by USAID could only partly be replaced by other donors, reaching fewer children and districts.
- Nepal’s government still buys therapeutic food for malnourished children, but outreach services have dropped due to aid cuts.
- Malnutrition increase threatens to reverse gains made in reducing child deaths over the past 20 years.
- Rising food prices are making it harder for families to provide nutritious meals for their children.
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