In 2024, over 1.4 million infants in Pakistan and 18.2 million globally were born into hunger, largely due to climate change and conflict. Save the Children highlights the urgent need for humanitarian aid and systemic changes to combat growing child malnutrition, as malnutrition poses grave risks to children’s health and development.
On December 31, 2024, Save the Children reported that over 1.4 million infants were born into hunger in Pakistan, highlighting the dire consequences of climate change on food security. This alarming statistic places Pakistan second globally among countries with significant rates of undernourishment. The broader context reveals that 18.2 million children worldwide entered this world under conditions of hunger, with a notable increase attributed to ongoing conflicts and climate emergencies, resulting in approximately 800,000 additional infants facing hunger compared to the previous year. The analysis indicates that children fared worst in terms of nutrition, as global conflict, displacement, and extreme weather have exacerbated the food crisis.
Historically, the number of malnourished children has fluctuated, peaking at over 21 million in 2001. By 2018, efforts had reduced this figure to around 14.5 million, but it rose again dramatically in subsequent years. Specifically, 2024 saw an increase of 5 percent in malnourished births relative to 2023. Solutions to this crisis are available; however, the continuous neglect of root causes such as conflict, climate change, and social inequality threatens to reverse previous gains in combating childhood hunger.
Children born into hunger this year come from regions perilously close to famine, like South Sudan, Haiti, Mali, and Sudan. Moreover, reports indicate a looming famine for 345,000 residents in Gaza, urging immediate humanitarian intervention. Hannah Stephenson, Global Head of Hunger and Nutrition at Save the Children, emphasized that, “over 18 million newborns this year — 35 children a minute — were born into a world where hunger is their reality from their first moments of life.” This assertion underscores the critical need for immediate action and sustained efforts to address hunger proactively.
The organization indicates that malnutrition poses severe risks to children’s health, leading to growth stunting, impaired mental and physical development, and increased susceptibility to diseases. In countries where a significant portion of the population faces hunger, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been identified as experiencing the highest number of undernourished births, exacerbated by entrenched conflict.
Save the Children is urging global leaders to prioritize efforts against hunger by addressing systemic issues in conflict zones, tackling climate change, and promoting equity and resilience in health and nutritional systems.
The situation of child malnutrition is particularly dire in Pakistan, where more than 1.4 million infants were born into hunger in 2024, making it one of the countries most affected by climate change impacts on food security. The interplay of climate shocks such as floods and droughts, compounded by conflict, has led to deteriorating nutritional conditions for children. Across the globe, 18.2 million infants were similarly born undernourished, reflecting a broader trend of increasing child malnutrition driven by various crises. Save the Children’s analysis provides crucial insights into the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and systemic changes to address the underlying causes of hunger.
The sobering statistics presented by Save the Children call for urgent action in combating child malnutrition exacerbated by climate change and ongoing conflicts. With over 1.4 million newborns in Pakistan and 18.2 million globally entering a world of hunger, it is imperative for governments, organizations, and communities to work collectively to tackle the root causes of this preventable crisis. Addressing systemic issues related to food security could significantly improve the prospects of millions of children who are currently at risk of malnutrition, enabling them to thrive in a conducive environment devoid of hunger.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
