UNICEF has raised the alarm over looming global funding shortfalls that could disrupt life-saving nutrition services for an estimated 14 million children in 17 high-priority countries. The warning comes as part of preliminary data shared at the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris.
The potential cuts come at a time of unprecedented global need, as children face rising levels of displacement, protracted conflict, disease outbreaks, and the worsening effects of climate change—all of which are undermining access to food and basic health care.
“We’ve seen major progress in fighting child malnutrition over the past two decades, but all of that is now at risk,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Fifty-five million fewer children are stunted today than in 2000. But these gains are fragile—and millions of lives could be lost if support is withdrawn.”
Among the projected consequences of the funding decline:
-
2.4 million severely malnourished children could go without access to Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) by the end of 2025.
-
Up to 2,300 stabilization centers—which treat life-threatening complications of malnutrition—may be forced to shut or scale back.
-
Around 28,000 outpatient treatment centers, supported by UNICEF, could close or reduce services. Some have already halted operations.
Even before these funding threats, malnutrition was surging. The number of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and adolescent girls facing acute malnutrition rose by 25%—from 5.5 million in 2020 to 6.9 million in 2023.
UNICEF says the numbers are only expected to rise further unless donors step up and national governments increase domestic investment in child nutrition and health programs.
“Proper nutrition is not just about survival—it’s about helping children thrive,” Russell emphasized. “The return on investment in nutrition is immense. It builds stronger families and societies and contributes to global stability.”
To support long-term solutions, UNICEF launched the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) in 2023. Backed by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, the Gates Foundation, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, the CNF is aimed at expanding access to nutrition support in countries hardest hit by undernutrition.
UNICEF is now urging a renewed global push—calling on governments, partners, and philanthropic donors to protect the hard-won progress on child nutrition and prevent a full-blown crisis.
