Nearly 6.3 million children aged 6 to 59 months are at risk of acute malnutrition this year in six Sahelian countries, putting the lives of at least 900,000 children at risk, UN agencies and NGOs warned on Wednesday. international.
“As recurring conflicts, insecurity, socio-economic crises and extreme weather events in the region continue to deteriorate and further worsen children’s nutrition, we must change the way we work to meet their needs in a sustainable way. said UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Marie-Pierre Poirier.
These figures, which come from the new publication of the Working Group on Nutrition in West and Central Africa, represent an increase of 27% compared to estimates for 2021 and 62% compared to 2018. is a record high for the fifth consecutive year.
The number of children under 5 who are at risk of suffering from global acute malnutrition this year has never been so high, reports the Task Force, which brings together United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations, including ACF, ALIMA , Concern, PUI, Save the Children, UNICEF, WFP and WHO.
The crisis in Ukraine might lead to a prolonged reduction in food exports and increase the number of undernourished people in sub-Saharan Africa, according to FAO estimates.
Furthermore, data on the prevention of acute malnutrition in children aged 6-23 months and pregnant and lactating women through complementary feeding in nine countries of the region show that urgent funding is also needed to ensure efficient and quick response.
The total financing need is over $93 million, with a financing gap of $56 million, including $26 million to cover needs during the lean season from June to September.
For treatment of acute malnutrition, the funding gap is $35.5 million for moderate acute malnutrition. Including Nigeria, this shortfall is $42 million for severe acute malnutrition, which is the deadliest form of malnutrition.