The United Nations has expressed concern over the worsening malnutrition crisis in the Middle East and North Africa, affecting one-third of the region’s children.
According to a statement from UNICEF on Monday, at least 77 million children across the region are suffering from some form of malnutrition.
Of these, 55 million are overweight or obese, conditions that UNICEF also categorizes as malnutrition. An additional 24 million children are affected by undernutrition, including stunting, wasting, and thinness.
The crisis is attributed to inadequate access to nutritious foods, clean water, healthcare, and essential services, along with the prevalence of cheap, unhealthy foods high in salt, sugar, and fat.
“The deepening crisis of malnutrition in the region is being driven by what and how children are fed, poor access to nutritious foods, clean water, medical care and other essential services, and the proliferation of cheap, unhealthy poor foods high in salt, sugar and fat,” it added.
UNICEF highlighted that ongoing conflicts, political instability, climate shocks, and rising food prices further exacerbate the situation, making it difficult for children to access the nutrition they need and limiting humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities.
Adele Khodr, UNICEF’s regional director, emphasised that only a third of young children in the region are receiving adequate nutrition, warning that the situation could worsen as conflicts and crises persist.
UNICEF called on governments to prioritize nutrition in their planning and policies.
This appeal follows a recent UN report that found hunger affecting about 9% of the global population in 2023, with 733 million people experiencing hunger and 2.33 billion facing moderate to severe food insecurity.
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