The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has warned that 1.3 million children under the age of five suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Nigeria and Ethiopia may lose access to treatment, putting them at greater risk of death.
UNICEF’s Deputy Executive Director, Kitty Palais, made this known at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, highlighting the dire consequences of declining international donor support.
Funding Crisis Threatens Aid Programs
Palais noted that in recent years, donor contributions to UN agencies, including UNICEF, have significantly decreased. The situation worsened when the United States—UNICEF’s largest donor—suspended all foreign aid for 90 days at the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term in January. This decision, along with subsequent cuts to USAID programs, has disrupted global humanitarian efforts, affecting the delivery of critical food and medical aid.
She pointed out that despite notable progress over the last 25 years in addressing child malnutrition—reducing the number of stunted children by 55 million since 2000—these gains are now at risk due to shrinking funds.
“In 2024, UNICEF and its partners provided 441 million children under five with nutrition services and treated 9.3 million for severe wasting and other forms of acute malnutrition,” Palais stated. “However, this progress is being undone as funding for lifesaving work continues to decline sharply.”
Dire Conditions in Nigeria and Ethiopia
Palais, who recently visited affected regions in Ethiopia’s Afar and Nigeria’s Maiduguri, revealed that nearly 1.3 million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition could lose access to treatment this year alone.
“In Afar, a region frequently hit by droughts and floods, mobile health and nutrition teams provide essential care to remote communities. But due to funding shortages, only seven of UNICEF’s 30 mobile units are currently operational,” she said.
She further warned that unless new funding sources are secured, UNICEF will exhaust its supply of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) by May. This would leave around 74,500 Ethiopian children requiring monthly treatment without access to vital nutrition support.
“In Nigeria, where approximately 80,000 children need treatment every month, RUTF supplies could run out as early as this month or by the end of May,” she added.
Call for Urgent Action
Palais emphasized that beyond emergency treatments like RUTF, long-term solutions are essential. Efforts must focus on preventing malnutrition through breastfeeding support, micronutrient supplementation, and improved healthcare access.
She also warned that the funding crisis extends far beyond Ethiopia and Nigeria, with vulnerable children worldwide bearing the brunt of reduced aid. In 2025 alone, an estimated 213 million children across 146 countries will require humanitarian assistance.
Despite the challenges, UNICEF remains committed to delivering aid and collaborating with partners to maximize efficiency and accountability.
“Delays in action don’t just harm children; they drive up costs for everyone. Investing in child survival and well-being isn’t just morally right—it’s the smartest economic decision any government can make,” Palais concluded.
