UNICEF raises alarm: 1.3 million children in Nigeria, Ethiopia face deadly malnutrition crisis

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns over the growing malnutrition crisis in Nigeria and Ethiopia.

According to UNICEF, about 1.3 million children under five years are at risk of severe acute malnutrition and possible death.

The situation follows a drastic cut in funding by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

UNICEF’s Deputy Executive Director, Kitty Palais, disclosed this at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on Friday.

She explained that international donors had reduced contributions to UN agencies, including UNICEF, in recent years.

The crisis worsened after the United States, a major donor, suspended all foreign aid for 90 days in January.

The suspension, which was a policy of the Trump administration, has disrupted global humanitarian relief efforts.

This decision has affected food and medical aid, putting millions of vulnerable children at risk.

According to UNICEF, there had been significant progress in tackling child malnutrition over the past 25 years.

Palais noted that since 2000, the number of stunted children globally has reduced by 55 million.

“In 2024, UNICEF and partners reached 441 million children under five with nutrition and healthcare services,” she said.

She added that 9.3 million children received treatment for severe wasting and other malnutrition-related illnesses.

Palais stressed that this progress was possible due to donors, governments, and private sector support.

However, she warned that funding cuts are reversing years of progress in the fight against malnutrition.

She said many funding reductions were sudden, leaving no time to adjust programmes for affected children.

Palais recently visited the Afar region in Ethiopia and Maiduguri in Nigeria to assess the situation.

She revealed that nearly 1.3 million children in both countries may lose access to treatment this year.

Without urgent intervention, these children face an increased risk of death from malnutrition.

“In Afar, I saw mobile health teams providing life-saving support to remote communities,” she said.

She described these teams as essential for treating severe wasting, providing vaccines, and delivering medicines.

However, funding gaps have forced many mobile health units in Ethiopia to shut down operations.

She revealed that only seven out of 30 UNICEF-supported mobile health units in Afar remain active.

“If new funds are not secured, UNICEF will run out of therapeutic food for children by May,” she warned.

In Ethiopia, around 74,500 children require treatment for severe wasting every month.

In Nigeria, approximately 80,000 children need treatment monthly, but food supplies may soon run out.

She stressed that prevention is crucial, not just treatment after children become malnourished.

Preventive measures include promoting breastfeeding, vitamin supplementation, and access to healthcare services.

Palais emphasized that this crisis extends beyond Nigeria and Ethiopia, affecting children worldwide.

She warned that over 213 million children across 146 countries will need humanitarian aid in 2025.

Despite the challenges, she assured that UNICEF remains committed to supporting children in need.

She urged global leaders to act quickly, warning that delays would worsen the crisis.

“Investing in children’s well-being is the right thing to do and an economically sound decision,” she concluded.

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