Why Two Million Children May Starve in Africa

## Shortage of Therapeutic Food Puts Millions of Children at Risk

Nearly two million children face the risk of succumbing to malnutrition due to shortages of a therapeutic product. Four countries in Africa—Mali, Nigeria, Niger, and Chad—have either depleted or are close to exhausting their supplies of the peanut-based, nutrient-rich food known as ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF). Eight other nations risk running out by mid-2025.

Severe acute malnutrition, or wasting, is a dangerous condition arising from poor nutrition, lack of clean water, and repeated infections. Indications include stunted growth, visible bones, dry skin, and brittle hair. This condition affects millions of children globally, claiming approximately 400,000 lives annually. Severely malnourished children have weakened immunity, making them susceptible to illnesses such as pneumonia and diarrhea.

Ready-to-use therapeutic food plays a crucial role in treating severe malnutrition, often requiring up to eight weeks of treatment. Despite reaching 73% of the children in need in 2023 and saving 1.2 million lives, there's an urgent need for $165 million to replenish the supplies. Global factors such as wars, climate change, and economic crises continue to fuel hunger emergencies, exacerbating the situation. Urgent action and funding are essential to save lives and stabilize these vulnerable regions.