APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) More than six million children in Ethiopia fall victim to stunting, which is caused by lack of nutritious food, a study shows.
The Ethiopian Nutrition Leaders Network Tuesday disclosed that man-made and natural disasters like drought, conflict, inflation, locust swarms, floods, etc. have become challenges to achieve the nutrition plans.
Senior Program Manager of Ethiopian Nutrition Leaders Network, Sisay Sinamo said that despite the improvement of food and nutritional conditions over the past 20 years, more than six million Ethiopian children are suffering from stunting, and about one million children are receiving medical support due to acute nutritional problems.
Highlighting that the current state of the food system is in a very serious condition, Sinamo said that a lot of work needs to be done to improve conditions of children in the east African nation.
Sinamo stated that several food and nutrition policies have been prepared at the national level but the accomplishment process is facing many challenges.
In particular, Sinamo clarified that the drought that is occurring in connection with climate change is exposing some areas to serious problems. The food systems in these same areas were adjusted previously.
Sinamo said that food price hikes at the international and national levels, the conflicts and the wars erupted in various areas over the past years have obstructed the food and nutrition plans set by the government.
“Still, the money allocated by both the government and donor organizations for food and nutrition is showing a decline,” said Sinamo adding that there “is a gap of up to 50 percent” of the resources needed for food and nutrition.
He stated that only about 30 percent of the resources requested for the beneficiaries in 2023 have been found.
“If this is the case, the food aid will be delivered to the areas, which are considered top priority,” he said.
MG/as/APA