UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, expressed grave concern on Wednesday, warning that years of progress in reducing child starvation could be undone.

"Since 2000, the number of stunted children under the age of five has fallen by 55 million, and the lives of millions of severely malnourished children have been saved," she stated.

"But steep funding cuts will dramatically reverse these gains and put the lives of millions more children at risk."

UNICEF’s estimates show that over 2.4 million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition could lose access to life-saving therapeutic foods for the rest of the year.

Additionally, up to 2,300 centers providing critical care for children with severe wasting are either closing or drastically reducing their services, while nearly 28,000 outpatient therapeutic centers supported by UNICEF are at risk.

The funding cuts are particularly tied to the U.S., the largest donor to UN agencies. Under the leadership of President Donald Trump, U.S. foreign aid has been slashed, including nearly all multi-year aid contracts, following a sweeping pause on existing foreign assistance.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that these cuts will have devastating effects on vulnerable populations worldwide.

In response to the funding crisis, Russell urged governments and donors to prioritize child health and nutrition programs, particularly through the Child Nutrition Fund, which was launched in 2023.

She stressed that good nutrition is essential for child survival and development, offering significant returns on investment.

UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, expressed grave concern on Wednesday, warning that years of progress in reducing child starvation could be undone.