Shafaq News/ At least 14 million children are projected to
lose access to essential nutrition services this year due to significant
international funding cuts, placing millions at increased risk of severe
malnutrition and death, UNICEF warned on Thursday.

“Good nutrition is the foundation of child survival and
development, with impressive returns on investment,” said UNICEF Executive
Director Catherine Russell. “Steep funding cuts will dramatically reverse these
gains and put the lives of millions more children at risk [of malnutrition].”

UNICEF estimates that up to 2,300 stabilization centers and
nearly 28,000 outpatient nutrition sites may close or scale back operations,
with 17 high-priority countries already experiencing disruptions.

The crisis is compounded by displacement, climate shocks,
armed conflict, and disease outbreaks—factors that continue to undermine access
to nutrition services, especially for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers,
and adolescent girls.

UNICEF urged donor governments to increase contributions to
its Child Nutrition Fund, calling for more domestic investment in national
nutrition programs. The fund, launched in 2023 with support from the UK, Gates
Foundation, and Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, is designed to
strengthen long-term malnutrition prevention.

US funding reductions have intensified the crisis. Since
President Donald Trump’s return to office two months ago, the Department of
Government Efficiency (DOGE)—reportedly advised by Elon Musk—has moved to limit
USAID’s authority. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that USAID is
preparing to cut 83% of its programming from a $42 billion budget, despite a
court ruling blocking the action.

Other donors, including the UK, have also reduced foreign
aid to address fiscal deficits and increase defensespending.