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At least 14 million children worldwide risk losing access to essential nutrition services in 2025 due to reductions in donor funding, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned.
In a statement on Wednesday, March 26, the agency said the cuts threaten to undo decades of progress in fighting child malnutrition, exposing vulnerable children and women to severe hunger and death.
UNICEF issued the warning as world leaders met at the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris to address global food security.
"Steep funding cuts will dramatically reverse gains made in reducing child malnutrition and put the lives of millions more children at risk," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
The agency’s analysis showed that more than 2.4 million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition could lose access to Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) this year.
It added that up to 2,300 stabilisation centres offering critical care for children with severe wasting may shut down or scale back.
Nearly 28,000 outpatient centres supported by UNICEF have also stopped or risk stopping operations because of the funding crisis.
Russell observed that the reductions come at a time of unprecedented need, with conflicts, disease outbreaks and climate disasters worsening access to adequate nutrition.
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"Over the last decades, we have made impressive progress in reducing child malnutrition globally because of a shared commitment and sustained investment," said Russell.
According to UNICEF, the number of stunted children under five has fallen by 55 million since 2000. However, the agency noted that recent funding cuts could reverse this trend.
The analysis also warned that adolescent girls and women face rising malnutrition levels.
Between 2020 and 2023, the number of pregnant and breastfeeding women and adolescent girls suffering from acute malnutrition rose from 5.5 million to 6.9 million, an increase of 25 per cent.
UNICEF urged governments and donors to prioritise nutrition and health funding, warning that without urgent action, the situation will worsen.
"Good nutrition is the foundation of child survival and development. Dividends will be measured in stronger families, societies and countries, and a more stable world," added Russell.
UNICEF launched the Child Nutrition Fund in 2023 to tackle child and maternal malnutrition.
The fund is supported by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, the Gates Foundation and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation.
The agency appealed for immediate financial support to sustain lifesaving nutrition services and prevent a global child hunger crisis.
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