By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has estimated that more than 800,000 children in the northeastern part of Nigeria are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition, including almost 300,000 who are estimated to be at imminent risk of death.
The UN agency, in a statement, noted that these children are part of the 10.4 million in seven countries, including Nigeria, that will suffer from acute malnutrition next year.
The other countries to be affected by this are Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Sudan, South Sudan and Yemen.
“As we enter 2021, UNICEF is deeply concerned for the health and well-being of 10.4 million children suffering from acute malnutrition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, northeast Nigeria, the Central Sahel, South Sudan and Yemen – all countries or regions experiencing dire humanitarian crises while also grappling with intensifying food insecurity, a deadly pandemic and, with the exception of the Central Sahel, a looming famine.
“UNICEF is on the ground and working with partners to minimize the impact of a downward spiral that is jeopardizing children’s development – building the basis of recovery, providing a second chance, and ultimately saving lives,” it said.
UNICEF said ongoing insecurity in the DRC, socio-economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and limited access to essential services will result in an estimated 3.3 million children, under the age of five, who will suffer from acute malnutrition next year.
According to the agency, the highest number of children since 2013, put around 1.4 million, will face acute malnutrition in South Sudan next year, due to ongoing conflict, insecurity, as well as limited health care, water and hygiene services.
In Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the number of malnourished children could increase by 21 per cent to a staggering 2.9 million amid conflict, displacement and climate shocks in these Central Sahel countries.
UNICEF also warned that more than 2 million children already suffer from acute malnutrition in Yemen and the figure is expected to rise in 2021.
The body had appealed for more than $1 billion from donors to support nutrition programmes for children in fragile countries in 2021.
It also urged humanitarian actors and international donors to expand access and support for aid operations.
Aduragbemi Omiyale 
Modupe Gbadeyanka