UNICEF Warns 14 Million Children at Risk of Malnutrition

UNICEF issued a stark warning on Wednesday, revealing that at least 14 million children are facing hunger and are at heightened risk of malnutrition or death this year, as global aid budgets continue to shrink. The United Nations children's agency has called on governments and philanthropic organizations to contribute urgently to its Child Nutrition Fund in order to stave off a looming wave of starvation.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized that significant progress had been made in combating child hunger over the past two decades, but these advancements are now under serious threat.

"Good nutrition is fundamental to child survival and development, offering impressive returns on investment," Russell said in a statement. "The dividends will be seen in stronger families, societies, and countries, contributing to a more stable world."

However, the situation has become more dire due to drastic cuts in international aid. Under the leadership of U.S. President Donald Trump, aided by his advisor Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the USAID agency has seen substantial budget cuts. Despite a court order halting some of these actions, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that USAID will cancel 83 percent of its programs from a budget of $42 billion.

Other major donor nations, including the United Kingdom, have also reduced or frozen their international aid commitments in a bid to control national deficits while boosting defense spending.

Russell warned that the aid cuts will directly impact the most vulnerable children. She highlighted that 2.4 million children suffering from acute malnutrition will miss out on essential life-saving food assistance, such as UNICEF’s "ready-to-use therapeutic food," for the remainder of the year. Up to 2,300 centers that provide critical care for malnourished children may be forced to close, while 28,000 UNICEF-supported feeding centers are also at risk of shutdown.

"In total, 14 million children are expected to experience disruptions in nutrition support and services this year," Russell said.

The funding crisis, she added, comes at a time of unprecedented challenges for children worldwide, as many continue to face record levels of displacement, ongoing conflicts, disease outbreaks, and the devastating consequences of climate change.