Nutrition

The challenge, In June 2022, UNICEF warned that almost 8 million children under 5 across 15 crisis-hit countries were at risk of death from severe wasting unless they received immediate therapeutic food and care. Severe wasting is the most lethal form of undernutrition, and one of the top threats to child survival. With soaring food prices driven by the war in…, The solution, The world responded. With $766 million in new funding, UNICEF delivered the largest nutrition response on record.  Globally, UNICEF and partners reached 7.3 million children with life-saving treatment in 2022, a 35 per cent increase from 2021 and the highest number of children treated for severe wasting since large-scale treatment began in 2007.…, Historic response, much more to do, Despite the historic response in 2022, most of the essential services to protect mothers and children from the threat of acute malnutrition remain under-funded. The overlapping global food, nutrition and climate crises along with economic pressures persist. In addition to the funding needed to continue programmes for the early detection and…, What UNICEF is calling for, Niger. A mother feeds her baby a nutritious supplement at an intensive nutritional recovery centre in Niger. A mother feeds her baby a nutritious supplement at an intensive nutritional recovery centre in Niger. Donors to deliver on their pledges and mobilize the $400 million necessary to extend much-needed prevention services to the worst-affected…

Every year, millions of children die from causes that are preventable and treatable.  Rates of immunization have been backsliding to their lowest levels in three decades. The story of the children who are not being vaccinated is one of inequity, poverty and underserved communities.  Meanwhile, conflict, economic strife and a changing climate…, What needs to happen, UNICEF is calling on governments and partners to act. Make sure that all children have access to routine immunizations. In 2024, Humanly Possible: Immunization for all vaccines need urgent funding . To ensure that all children have the protection they need to thrive, especially against polio, malaria and human papillomavirus (HPV), large scale…, How UNICEF is responding, A nurse crosses a hand-made bridge carrying a vaccine cooler to reach the remote village of Mansunthu to conduct a mobile vaccination clinic. UNICEF’s mission is to reach every single child with life-saving vaccines.   We’re on the frontlines, bringing doses to the communities that need them the most, including in some of the hardest to reach…, Campaigns and stories, Information for policymakers and partners, A four-year-old child receives an oral dose of the polio vaccine in India. Millions of children continue to miss out on their most basic vaccines. At the same time, severe acute malnutrition is on the rise. Service disruptions, economic chaos, conflict and overburdened health systems have threatened a devastating rise in preventable child deaths…, Information and advice for parents, Vaccines are amongst the greatest advances of modern medicine. They help to keep our families and our communities safe.   Good nutrition is the bedrock of child survival and development. If you’re looking for information on routine childhood vaccinations and good nutrition, this is where to start.