Each year, global malnutrition is responsible for nearly half of all deaths of children under 5, claiming a life every 11 seconds. According to UNICEF, millions of children could experience severe acute malnutrition, or wasting, due to the impacts of COVID-19, in addition to the 47 million currently suffering from the condition.
All women, children, and their families deserve the care and support they need to live healthy, nourished lives. Today, less than 1% of total global development assistance is spent on high-impact nutrition interventions. In 2020, only $150 million of U.S. global health investments were allocated to prevent and treat malnutrition. Global underinvestment has led to significant gaps in coverage of lifesaving nutrition services, even as coverage of other complementary health services has increased.
Malnutrition wastes lives and stunts potential. But it doesn’t have to.
Proven and cost-effective interventions to prevent and treat malnutrition exist. Achieving the potential of these solutions will require that the global community prioritize scaling essential nutrition programs so that they reach those who need it most.
Follow a mother’s journey as she seeks care for herself and her child under challenging circumstances that all too many children and mothers face around the world.
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