UNICEF has issued a stark warning regarding a looming crisis in Ethiopia and Nigeria. The agency projects a potential halt in the provision of ready-to-use therapeutic food by May.
This disruption threatens the lives of approximately 74,500 severely malnourished children monthly.
Deputy Executive Director Kitty van der Heijden conveyed the urgency of the situation during a recent briefing.
She highlighted that Nigeria, requiring treatment for around 80,000 children each month, faces imminent supply depletion.
Van der Heijden lamented how significant funding reductions, particularly from the US, are undermining years of progress in combating malnutrition.
Her recent visits to Ethiopia’s Afar region and Nigeria’s Maiduguri revealed the harsh realities on the ground.
Nearly 1.3 million children under five across both nations risk losing access to essential treatment.
In Afar, funding shortfalls have severely hampered mobile health units, crucial for delivering care.
The funding crisis extends beyond these two countries, with UNICEF anticipating 213 million children needing aid globally in 2025.
Van der Heijden emphasized the critical need for both emergency treatment and preventative measures.
She implored governments to act decisively, stressing that delayed aid will escalate costs and endanger countless young lives.