In 2024, Pakistan saw 1.4 million babies born into hunger, making it one of the countries with the highest rates of undernourishment. Globally, 18.2 million children faced hunger at birth, driven by factors like climate change and conflict. Save the Children calls for urgent action to address underlying issues contributing to child malnutrition.
In 2024, Pakistan witnessed a distressing statistic, with 1.4 million babies born into hunger, a situation exacerbated by climate-induced challenges, including severe floods and droughts. This alarming figure positions Pakistan as the country with the second highest number of undernourished births among nations with over 20% of their populations facing food insecurity. The rising trend is part of a broader global issue where approximately 18.2 million children were born into hunger this year, equating to roughly 35 children every minute.
Save the Children’s analysis reveals a concerning increase in undernourished births, marking a 5% rise from the previous year and a 19% increase compared to 2019 figures. Various factors such as ongoing conflicts, environmental crises, and surging food prices have significantly deteriorated children’s nutritional status worldwide. This year, countries like South Sudan and Sudan are highlighted as severely affected, with many experiencing famine conditions.
Hannah Stephenson, the Global Head of Hunger and Nutrition at Save the Children, expressed grave concern, emphasizing that no child should have to grapple with hunger from the earliest moments of their life. She advocated for immediate humanitarian assistance aimed at providing essential resources like food, healthcare, and sanitation for vulnerable children and families. Furthermore, she underscored the necessity of addressing the underlying causes of hunger to prevent a reversal in progress achieved in combating malnutrition.
Malnutrition poses dire consequences for children, potentially leading to stunting, hindered development, and increased susceptibility to diseases. In the context of the world’s population facing hunger, the Democratic Republic of Congo is projected to experience the highest number of undernourished newborns this year at approximately 1.6 million, primarily driven by ongoing conflicts in the region. Save the Children urges global leaders to ensure the prioritization of strategies designed to combat hunger and enhance resilience against climate change and global inequality.
The issue of childhood hunger in Pakistan and around the globe presents a significant challenge, intertwined with the impacts of climate change, conflict, and economic disparities. The rise in undernourished births parallels systemic issues as more children grapple with insufficient access to food and nutrition. World leaders are being called upon to make meaningful changes and investments in humanitarian efforts that can alleviate this pressing crisis and address its root causes.
In summary, the situation regarding child hunger in Pakistan is critical, with 1.4 million babies born into hunger in 2024. Contributing factors include climate crises and conflict, impacting the nutritional health of children globally. There is an urgent need for humanitarian action and systemic changes to tackle the root causes of hunger to safeguard the futures of vulnerable children.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
