Regional Perspective: Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Catalysing action and accountability on the prevention, early detection, and treatment of Child Wasting

A call to action

Wasting is the most visible type of undernutrition and carries the highest risk of death.Children with severe wasting are up to twelve times more likely to die than well-nourished children. For children who survive, a single episode can stunt their growth and development. Despite strong evidence on solutions that work, little progress has been made towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) (Zero Hunger) target, which calls for less than 3% prevalence of child wasting by 2030. Building on the momentum of 2021’s UN Food Security Summit and the upcoming Nutrition for Growth Summit we must accelerate efforts to drive greater action toward ending child malnutrition and helping ensure all children, everywhere, can reach their full potential.

We, the signatories, commit to accelerate progress on the following six priority areas of action developed jointly with representatives from almost 50 governments and organisations across the world. These actions, compiled through the ‘Wasting Reset’ process, align with and build upon the priorities identified through the Global Action Plan (GAP) for Child Wasting, UNICEF’s ‘No Time to Waste’ initiative, and the Coalition of Action for Zero Hunger.

By agreeing upon the below priorities and acting together with urgency to realise them we can make a life changing difference for the millions of children experiencing wasting right now as well as the millions more at risk if we do not take urgent action.

Read the full document and the list of signatories below. 
If you would like to become a signatory, please contact laura@ennonline.net