FAO, UNICEF, WFP and WHO join efforts to address child malnutrition affecting millions of …
Amman/Cairo, 29 August 2023 – Today, the regional directors of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the Near East and North Africa, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in the Middle East and North Africa and the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region have launched a pioneering framework for regional United Nations nutrition collaboration as part of their collaborative effort to address the pressing issue of malnutrition in the region.
Launched in Cairo, Egypt, this important initiative marks a milestone in the ongoing commitment of the 4 agencies to unite their efforts and expertise in supporting countries to prioritize and take effective and timely action on nutrition. The framework aims to facilitate joint support and systematic technical collaboration and coordination at the regional level to accelerate action on nutrition.
Despite commendable strides made since 1990, and with the prevalence of chronic undernutrition decreasing from 19.1% in 2012 to 15.3% in 2022, challenges persist in the region. Notably, the high prevalence of stunting affecting children under 5 years of age in 6 out of 25 countries is concerning – jeopardizing the physical growth and cognitive development of 7.5 million children.
Wasting, the most lethal form of malnutrition, remains a significant issue in specific countries. The average regional wasting rate of over 6% masks alarming levels exceeding 15% in certain countries. The number