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Four UN Agencies Issue Urgent Call to Action To Prevent Coronavirus-Related Childhood Malnutrition, Starvation and Death

Four UN Agencies Issue Urgent Call to Action To Prevent Coronavirus-Related Childhood Malnutrition, Starvation and Death

Yesterday, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Program (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UNICEF issued a call for action to prevent  childhood malnutrition and death, now worsening in many places, reported in the {Lancet} at length on July 27. What is clear from the call and the dire situation described in a related Associated Press article on the malnutrition, starvation and death among children in sub-Saharan Africa, Afghanistan, Yemen and elsewhere, is that these needs can only be met by implementation of the LaRouchePAC program to create 1.5 billion productive jobs, and building of global medical infrastructure.

“As leaders of four UN agencies,” the call read, “we are issuing a call for action to protect children’s right to nutrition in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. This requires a swift response and investments from governments, donors, the private sector, and the UN. Five actions must be taken and tracked immediately…..[provision of food and help listed]….”

The four agencies estimated that at least $2-4 billion is needed immediately “to protect these children, prevent and treat malnutrition, and avoid human loss. This $2-4 billion estimate includes an essential package of four life-saving interventions: prevention of wasting in children at risk; treatment for children who are wasted; biannual vitamin A supplementation for children aged 6–59 months (90% coverage); and mass communication for the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding that focuses on caregivers or families of children aged 0–23 months.

“The estimated increase in child wasting is only the tip of the iceberg. The COVID-19 pandemic is also expected to increase other forms of child malnutrition, including stunting, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight. The global community’s failure to act now will have devastating long-term consequences for children, human capital, and national economies.”

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