The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has warned that 1.3 million children under five in Nigeria and Ethiopia are at heightened risk of death due to severe acute malnutrition, as funding shortfalls threaten access to life-saving treatment.
UNICEF’s Deputy Executive Director, Kitty van der Heijden, disclosed this at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on Friday, emphasizing that international funding cuts have placed millions of children in danger.
Funding Cuts Threaten Global Humanitarian Efforts
In recent years, international donors have reduced contributions to UN agencies, including UNICEF. The situation worsened when the United States, its largest donor, suspended foreign aid for 90 days following the inauguration of President Donald Trump’s second term in January.
This decision, coupled with orders halting numerous USAID programs worldwide, has disrupted global humanitarian relief efforts, putting food and medical aid at risk for vulnerable children.
Progress in Malnutrition Fight at Risk
Despite significant progress in tackling global child malnutrition over the last 25 years, Heijden warned that these gains are now being reversed.
“Since the year 2000, the number of stunted children has decreased by 55 million – a one-third reduction. In 2024 alone, UNICEF and partners reached 441 million children with malnutrition prevention services, while 9.3 million children received treatment for severe wasting. But today, these hard-earned gains are being rolled back due to a deepening funding crisis,” she said.
Dire Situation in Nigeria and Ethiopia
Heijden revealed that during her visits to the Afar region in Ethiopia and Maiduguri in northeast Nigeria, she saw the impact of the funding crisis firsthand.
She noted that nearly 1.3 million children in both countries could lose access to malnutrition treatment this year, significantly increasing their risk of death.
“In Afar, a drought-prone region, mobile health and nutrition teams provide lifesaving assistance to remote pastoralist communities. However, due to funding gaps, only seven out of 30 UNICEF-supported mobile health units remain operational,” she added.
In Ethiopia, UNICEF estimates that by May 2025, it will run out of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for treating severe malnutrition, leaving 74,500 children at risk each month.
Similarly, in Nigeria, where 80,000 children per month require treatment, UNICEF’s RUTF supplies could be depleted between now and the end of May.
“The focus cannot just be on RUTF or treating a child after they become severely malnourished. Prevention is key—ensuring access to breastfeeding support, Vitamin A supplements, and essential health services,” she stressed.
A Global Funding Crisis Endangering Millions
The funding crisis extends beyond Nigeria and Ethiopia, affecting millions of vulnerable children worldwide. UNICEF estimates that in 2025, over 213 million children across 146 countries will require humanitarian aid.
“Delaying action doesn’t just harm children—it drives up the cost for everyone. Investing in child survival and well-being is not only the right thing to do; it is also the most economically sound choice any government can make,” Heijden concluded.
Despite these challenges, UNICEF remains committed to supporting children and working with partners to ensure efficient, effective, and accountable humanitarian efforts.
