Coronavirus threatens global surge in malnutrition, jeopardizing future of an extra 10 million children

Coronavirus has had a detrimental effect on vulnerable families relying on a daily wage or a remittance, making it especially hard for families in poorer nations to afford a nutritious diet. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) projections have indicated that nutrition in children under five could rise by 20% due to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on food security.

Hyderabad:Coronavirus may push an additional 10 million of the world’s children into acute malnutrition. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that the number of young children suffering from this life-threatening form of undernutrition could increase by 20 per cent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The virus can have a devastating effect on small bodies already weak from poor nutrition. At the same time, the pandemic is having a disastrous effect on vulnerable families relying on a daily wage or a remittance. COVID-related lockdowns and movement restrictions are severely undermining livelihoods, worsening existing threats like conflict and weak health systems, making it especially hard for families in poorer nations to afford a nutritious diet.

"If we fail to act now, we’ll face devastating loss of life, health and productivity in future generations. Getting nutrition right today will determine whether the consequences of COVID-19 for children will be felt for months, years or even decades to come," says Lauren Landis, WFP’s Director of Nutrition.

This year’s Global Nutrition Report highlights the inequalities inherent in nutrition, with stunting and wasting being most prevalent amongst the poorest communities. Malnourished children, especially those under five years of age, are at risk of being among the primary victims of the pandemic and its socio-economic fallout.

Acute malnutrition is caused by inadequate food consumption or illness, or both, resulting in sudden weight loss that, if untreated, can lead to death. WFP projections have indicated that acute malnutrition in children under five could rise by 20% due to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on food security. This number is a result of food insecurity alone. Impacts from the closure of health facilities will increase the rates even further.