Health Ministry urges aid agencies to boost nutrition funding amid deepening crisis

Nepal's Health Ministry is calling on international aid agencies to bolster funding for nutrition programs amid a worsening crisis. Officials have formally requested increased investment from organizations including UNICEF, FHI 360, Helen Keller International Nepal, World Vision, and Care Nepal.

"As nutrition is a political issue, without the help of all agencies concerned, the Health Ministry cannot address the problems," stated an official who requested anonymity. The ministry is also seeking cooperation from other government bodies to prioritize nutrition in local budgets and has dispatched health worker teams to provinces for immediate interventions.

A recent study by the ministry indicates a sharp decline in nutritional status, with over 200,000 children under five experiencing acute malnutrition. Wasting, a severe form of malnutrition, now affects 9% of children aged six to 59 months, up from 8% in 2021. Experts warn that wasting rates exceeding 10% can lead to a significant rise in child mortality.

Experts attribute the crisis to rising inflation, reduced household incomes, and fewer job opportunities, forcing families to cut spending on essential foods. The increasing consumption of junk food also exacerbates the problem. The ministry warns that unaddressed malnutrition will hinder children's physical and cognitive development, impacting future productivity and the country's overall progress. Nepal has international commitments to improve child nutrition as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.

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As nutrition is a political issue, without the help of all agencies concerned, the Health Ministry cannot address the problems. So we request help from all sectors.