UNICEF has raised alarms about a critical funding shortage that threatens the provision of lifesaving nutritional support to approximately 1.3 million children under five suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Nigeria and Ethiopia. This shortfall is primarily due to significant cuts in international aid, notably from the United States.

In Ethiopia, UNICEF's supplies of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) are projected to be depleted by May, jeopardizing treatment for 70,000 children. Similarly, in Nigeria, 80,000 children may lose access to essential nutritional support as early as the end of this month. ​

Kitty Van der Heijden, UNICEF's Deputy Executive Director, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that any interruption in continuous treatment poses a life-threatening risk to these vulnerable children.

The funding crisis has also impacted other critical programs, including health services and mobile clinics in Ethiopia, further exacerbating the challenges faced by malnourished children.

UNICEF is urgently appealing for immediate financial support to sustain these vital nutrition programs and prevent a deepening child survival crisis in the affected regions.