The United Nations has issued a "before it's too late" appeal for funding to assist 30 million children suffering from severe malnutrition in countries affected by the food crisis. Five UN agencies confirmed in a joint statement that "more than 30 million children in the 15 most affected countries are suffering from wasting - which is severe malnutrition - and eight million of these children are experiencing severe wasting, the deadliest form of malnutrition."
The 15 affected countries are Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Yemen. The significant rise in food prices exacerbates food shortages and hinders access to essential food items at affordable prices. Conflicts, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic have worsened the situation, according to these agencies. QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), warned that "this situation is likely to worsen further in 2023."
The UN agencies are calling for increased investments to support their efforts in meeting the "unprecedented needs arising from this escalating crisis, before it’s too late." They aim to prevent, detect, and treat severe malnutrition in children by working on food, health, water, sanitation, and social protection systems. Dongyu emphasized the need to ensure that healthy food is "available and affordable." The action plan will focus on children under five, pregnant and breastfeeding women, mothers, and caregivers of children under five.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stated that "current successive crises are leaving millions of children suffering from severe malnutrition and making it harder for them to access essential services." She added that "wasting causes suffering for the child, and in severe cases, it can lead to death or permanent harm to children's growth and development." Russell noted that this crisis must be addressed with "proven solutions to avoid, detect, and treat wasting in children at an early stage."
Children with severe malnutrition have weakened immune systems and are more likely to die from common childhood illnesses.
