Malawi Faces 18% Spike in Severe Child Malnutrition, UNICEF Reports
UNICEF is calling for urgent action to scale up lifesaving programs across Southern Africa.
BLANTYRE, Malawi — Malawi has recorded an 18% increase in severe acute malnutrition (SAM) cases among children, according to UNICEF data released Thursday, writes Pemphero Musowa.
The surge in SAM admissions occurred between January and May 2024, coinciding with projections that 5.7 million people in Malawi will face high levels of acute food insecurity from October 2024 to March 2025.
UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Etleva Kadilli said, "The humanitarian needs children are facing due to El Niño are extremely concerning."
El Niño-related weather patterns affecting Southern Africa are putting hundreds of thousands of children at risk in the six worst-hit countries.
UNICEF estimates that more than 270,000 children will suffer from life-threatening SAM in 2024.
"Thousands of children are on the brink of being irreversibly impacted in their health and growth because of the climate-related crisis," Kadilli added.
The situation in Malawi mirrors a broader regional crisis.
In 2023, approximately 573,000 children under five were at risk of malnutrition in the country.
UNICEF is calling for urgent action to scale up lifesaving programs across Southern Africa.
The organization emphasizes the need for resilience-building measures, including diverse food systems, clean water, sanitation services, and climate-responsive health care.
"Investment and innovation in building family and societal resilience are vital," UNICEF stated, underscoring the importance of safeguarding key services for children.