Tens of Thousands of Children Face Death from Hunger Due to Coronavirus

Combating malnutrition among children is already a difficult task for the United Nations even in normal times. According to UNICEF, the coronavirus crisis could worsen the situation and nearly seven million children could suffer from acute malnutrition by the end of the year.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned of a dramatic increase in malnutrition among young children worldwide due to the coronavirus crisis. UNICEF announced that regarding the economic and social consequences of coronavirus, approximately 6.7 million young children are likely to suffer from acute malnutrition by the end of the year. There is even a risk that up to ten thousand children may die each month.

According to UNICEF’s statement, around 47 million children under five suffered severe malnutrition last year. With increasing concerns as a result of this pandemic, hunger rates among children could reach their highest level in this millennium. Most children suffering from malnutrition live in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

According to Henrietta Fore, UNICEF’s Executive Director, it is now clear that the economic and social effects of the coronavirus pandemic are causing greater harm to children than the disease itself. Poverty in families is increasing, essential services and food supply chains have been disrupted. Food prices have also risen sharply. Ms. Fore adds that all these factors mean that children have access to fewer healthy nutrition options.

Victor Aguayo, Head of UNICEF’s Nutrition Program, has called for reducing restrictions imposed in relation to coronavirus so that families can pull themselves up by their bootstraps. He pointed to the loss of facilities such as school meals and medical care that resulted from school closures in poor countries. For example, the removal of vitamin A from children’s diets almost worldwide could lead to weakening of their immune systems.

More than two billion euros are needed in the current year

According to the United Nations’ announcement, children suffering from acute malnutrition are more at risk of death or developmental delays in physical and mental growth. Along with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF is calling for a more effective approach to preventing and treating malnutrition. These organizations need 2.4 billion dollars to support children and mothers in food programs through the end of the current year.

Source: DW