UNICEF Warns of "Catastrophic" Crisis Affecting Children

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported that the cost of life-saving medicines for most children suffering from severe malnutrition is expected to rise by up to 16% due to the war in Ukraine and pandemic-related disruptions. They added that the prices of raw materials used in the production of ready-to-use therapeutic foods have surged due to the global food crisis resulting from the war and the pandemic. Without additional funding in the next six months, 600,000 more children may be deprived of essential treatment, which consists of a high-energy paste made from ingredients including peanuts, oil, sugar, and added nutrients. UNICEF did not specify the amount of funding needed to maintain the program. They noted that a box of specialized nutrients containing 150 packets, sufficient for 6 to 8 weeks to treat a child with severe malnutrition, costs about $41 on average. The organization warned in a statement that, alongside the broader pressure on food security, including climate change, rising prices could lead to "catastrophic" levels of malnutrition. They mentioned that even before the pandemic, two out of three children were deprived of access to the essential therapeutic food needed to save their lives.