The health of children under five remains at stake as malnutrition continues to worsen across the globe. Malnutrition is the most severe consequence of food insecurity for children in this age group. The Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates (JME) 2023 report shows that stunting afflicts 148.1 million children under five globally, wasting burdens 45 million, and overweight impacts 37 million. Nearly all affected children live in Asia, representing 52% of the global share, and in Africa, where they make up 43%. 

The JME 2023 report highlights slow progress in achieving the World Health Assembly’s Global Nutrition Target and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 2 targets. Only one-third of countries are on track to halve child stunting by 2030.  

The persistent threat of stunting, wasting, and overweight—the three manifestations of malnutrition—hinders children’s development. This burden exposes them to lifelong consequences, including impaired cognitive development. It can manifest as delayed language acquisition, reduced problem-solving abilities, and difficulty excelling in school, ultimately limiting their future earning potential.

Image credit: UNICEF, WHO, World Bank Group Joint Malnutrition Estimates, 2023 edition.

In Africa, about 64 million children—one in every three—suffer from malnutrition due to conflicts and the climate crisis, the UNICEF 2024 report reveals. “There is no doubt that conflict and the effects of the climate crisis, such as drought and floods, have a tremendous impact on families’ abilities to feed their children,” stated Etleva Kadilli, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa. The same report revealed that climate-driven drought has left around 20.2 million children across Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia at risk of severe malnutrition.  

Addressing the malnutrition crisis requires multifaceted approaches, such as the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN), a World Bank-sponsored initiative. ANRiN focuses primarily on improving maternal and child nutrition through community-based nutrition interventions. This program provides essential nutrients, including vitamin A, micronutrient powder, deworming, zinc/ORS, iron-folic acid, and Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) counselling. Similarly, the Home-Grown School Feeding Program (HGSFP) enhances dietary access for school-aged children and children under five.