As COVID-19 increases global food insecurity, less children are receiving nutrition support across conflict-affected states





A new analysis by the International Rescue Committee finds that the number of children receiving treatment for malnutrition has decreased across conflict-affected countries, despite increasing food insecurity reported globally, indicating that life-saving treatments have been less accessible to families during the COVID-19 pandemic; The number of patients seeking care for malnutrition at IRC-supported clinics has decreased as compared to last year since COVID-19 started spreading by 20% in Somalia,19% in South Sudan,15% in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and 12.5% in Yemen; Despite the risk of increased rates of acute malnutrition, the Global Humanitarian Response Plan remains deeply underfunded, with only 3% of the amount requested for nutrition — $247 million — committed thus far.

The knock-on effects of COVID-19 have led to a global food insecurity crisis, with 265 million people projected to experience life-threatening levels of hunger this year alone. Meanwhile, movement restrictions and other safety measures put into place to combat the virus, coupled with fears of contracting COVID-19, have made health and nutrition services less accessible to families. This is especially troubling among the most vulnerable. An analysis carried out by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) found an alarming drop in the number of people arriving at nutrition clinics at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to 2019.

In  Somalia, the analysis indicated a 20% decline, compared to the same period in 2019, in severe acute malnutrition cases in IRC-supported clinics even though experts warn of a 64% increase in people facing a food crisis. From March to August 2020 in South Sudan, there was a more than 19% decrease in the number of patients seeking care for severe and moderate acute malnutrition, compared to the same period in 2019. This is despite figures that show the number of malnourished children in the country was 1.3 million as of September 2020

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the analysis found a 15% drop in children being treated for malnutrition this year even though there is an alarming 64% rise in the number of people facing a food crisis since February. In Yemen, IRC data found a 12.5% decline during peak COVID-19 months compared to the same period in 2019 for children being treated for malnutrition, despite warnings that food insecurity and hunger have increased by 60% since April of this year. 

Even before the pandemic, access to health facilities and service providers was a challenge in conflict and crisis settings. COVID-19 related disruptions, including those rightfully implemented to curb coronavirus infection rates, have further exacerbated these access issues alongside other factors such as continued conflict and insecurity, worsening economic crises, flooding, and more.

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