Malnutrition can lead to a weakened immune system meaning children are more vulnerable to disease. These diseases can lead to further malnutrition, creating a vicious cycle of malnutrition and disease.
MSF first introduced specific therapeutic foods to treat malnutrition on a large scale as long ago as 2005, which has been widely used since; but access to specific and necessary nutrition remains one of the major challenges in reducing child mortality, especially in conflict-affected countries, where they are most vulnerable.
We estimate that only 3% of the 20 million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition receive the lifesaving treatment they need.
Figures about malnutrition and our response
Data and information from MSF and other iNGOs
~45%
of child deaths are linked to malnutrition
438M+
admissions of malnourished children to outpatient feeding programmes in 2022
127K+
severely malnourished children admitted to inpatient feeding programmes in 2022
