Some 149 million children—about one in five worldwide—are chronically malnourished. Malnutrition puts children at greater risk of dying from common infections, increases the frequency and severity of such infections, and delays recovery.
According to a 2021-published report, humanity is seeing the highest level of acute food insecurity and malnutrition since the Global Network Against Food Crises began reporting on the issue in 2017. Key drivers to food and famine crises include conflict, extreme weather/environmental disasters and economic turbulence. Additionally, famine is driving displacement.
COVID-19 exacerbates poverty and thus food insecurity, especially in already strained countries. With overburdened healthcare systems, disrupted food systems and income loss, children are not getting the nutrition they need. As a result of COVID-19, the global coverage of nutrition services to children, adolescents and women declined by nearly 40 percent and 6.7 million children will likely suffer from wasting and other forms of acute malnutrition. Further, malnourished children have weakened immune systems and may face a greater risk of dying from COVID-19.
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