UN Warns Funding Cuts Could Endanger Nutrition for 14M Children Worldwide

UNICEF has raised an alarm at the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris, revealing that at least 14 million children are at risk of losing vital nutrition support due to significant global funding cuts. The organization warns that these cuts could lead to the closure of over 2,300 stabilization centers and threaten nearly 28,000 outpatient therapeutic centers, which are crucial for treating severe malnutrition. Concurrently, the World Food Programme has highlighted a potential suspension of malnutrition programs in countries like Yemen and Afghanistan if urgent funding is not secured, exacerbated by a 90-day pause on U.S. foreign aid. Experts predict that these funding reductions could result in an additional 369,000 child deaths annually, underscoring a dire need for international response and investment. Overall, the current global crises, including armed conflicts and climate change, are significantly impacting children's access to nutrition, putting millions at risk of severe malnutrition and long-term health consequences. The situation requires immediate action from world leaders to avert a humanitarian disaster.