Hounde, Jul 28: Coronavirus and its restrictions are pushing already hungry communities over the edge, killing an estimated 10,000 more young children a month as meager farms are cut off from markets and villages are isolated from food and medical aid, the United Nations warned Monday.
In the call to action shared with The Associated Press ahead of publication, four UN agencies warned that growing malnutrition would have long-term consequences, transforming individual tragedies into a generational catastrophe.
Hunger is already stalking Haboue Solange Boue, an infant from Burkina Faso who lost half her former body weight of 5.5 pounds (2.5 kilograms) in just a month. Coronavirus restrictions closed the markets, and her family sold fewer vegetables. Her mother was too malnourished to nurse.
“My child,” Danssanin Lanizou whispered, choking back tears as she unwrapped a blanket to reveal her baby's protruding ribs.
More than 550,000 additional children each month are being struck by what is called wasting, according to the UN — malnutrition that manifests in spindly limbs and distended bellies. Over a year, that's up 6.7 million from last year's total of 47 million. Wasting and stunting can permanently damage children physically and mentally.
“The food security effects of the COVID crisis are going to reflect many years from now,” said Dr. Francesco Branca, the WHO head of nutrition. “There is going to be a societal effect.”
From Latin America to South Asia to sub-Saharan Africa, more poor families than ever are staring down a future without enough food.
In April, World Food Program head David Beasley warned that the coronavirus economy would cause global famines “of biblical proportions” this year. There are different stages of what is known as food insecurity; famine is officially declared when, along with other measures, 30% of the population suffers from wasting.
The World Food Program estimated in February that one Venezuelan in three was already going hungry, as inflation rendered salaries nearly worthless and forced millions to flee abroad. Then the virus arrived.
“Every day we receive a malnourished child,” said Dr. Francisco Nieto, who works in a hospital in the border state of Tachira.
In May, Nieto recalled, after two months of quarantine, 18-month-old twins arrived with bodies bloated from malnutrition. The children's mother was jobless and living with her own mother. She told the doctor she fed them only a simple drink made with boiled bananas.
“Not even a cracker? Some chicken?” he asked.
“Nothing,” the children's grandmother responded. By the time the doctor saw them, it was too late: One boy died eight days later.
The leaders of four international agencies — the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Food Program and the Food and Agriculture Organization — have called for at least dollar 2.4 billion immediately to address global hunger.
But even more than lack of money, restrictions on movement have prevented families from seeking treatment, said Victor Aguayo, the head of UNICEF's nutrition program.
“By having schools closed, by having primary health care services disrupted, by having nutritional programs dysfunctional, we are also creating harm,” Aguayo said. He cited as an example the near-global suspension of Vitamin A supplements, which are a crucial way to bolster developing immune systems.
In Afghanistan, movement restrictions prevent families from bringing their malnourished children to hospitals for food and aid just when they need it most. The Indira Gandhi hospital in the capital, Kabul, has seen only three or four malnourished children, said specialist Nematullah Amiri. Last year, there were 10 times as many.
Because the children don't come in, there's no way to know for certain the scale of the problem, but a recent study by Johns Hopkins University indicated an additional 13,000 Afghans younger than 5 could die.
Afghanistan is now in a red zone of hunger, with severe childhood malnutrition spiking from 690,000 in January to 780,000 — a 13% increase, according to UNICEF.
In Yemen, restrictions on movement have blocked aid distribution, along with the stalling of salaries and price hikes. The Arab world's poorest country is suffering further from a fall in remittances and a drop in funding from humanitarian agencies.
Yemen is now on the brink of famine, according to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, which uses surveys, satellite data and weather mapping to pinpoint places most in need.
Some of the worst hunger still occurs in sub-Saharan Africa. In Sudan, 9.6 million people live from one meal to the next — a 65% increase from the same time last year.
Lockdowns across Sudanese provinces, as around the world, have dried up work and incomes for millions. With inflation hitting 136%, prices for basic goods have more than tripled.
“It has never been easy but now we are starving, eating grass, weeds, just plants from the earth,” said Ibrahim Youssef, director of the Kalma camp for internally displaced people in war-ravaged south Darfur.
Adam Haroun, an official in the Krinding camp in west Darfur, recorded nine deaths linked with malnutrition, otherwise a rare occurrence, over the past two months — five newborns and four older adults, he said.
Before the pandemic and lockdown, the Abdullah family ate three meals a day, sometimes with bread, or they'd add butter to porridge. Now they are down to just one meal of “millet porridge” — water mixed with grain. Zakaria Yehia Abdullah, a farmer now at Krinding, said the hunger is showing “in my children's faces.”
“I don't have the basics I need to survive,” said the 67-year-old, who who hasn't worked the fields since April. “That means the 10 people counting on me can't survive either.”
Comments
#17 THINKERS, Mangalore
Are you circumcising? Where it is in Quran. Hadith is manmade. Allah never gave quran to Muhammad. Angel gave quran to Muhammad. Angel is not almighty, limited in Power. Satan can overtake angel. Muhammad was caught by satan and the angel couldn’t stop satan delivering satanic verses. Your Allah didn’t interfere at the same time. Allah is from the 14th century. Where was allah before 14th century. Allah means in Hebrew Oak Tree. Allah means in Sanskrit Goddess. AlLat, Uzzah and Mannat three daughters of Allah Muhammad worshiped. Khayru al-makireena ! (S. 3:54; cf. 8:30) Allah is the greatest deceiver. In English translations purposely made it planner, scheduler instead of deceiver. Do Muhammad said in his own mouth I am the last prophet in the Quran. Show me from Uthman edited Quran. Do allah said worship me I am God. Allah never spoke to Muhammad in the Quran. Muhammad Hadith is the sayings of Muhammad. Muhammad was caught by the satatn and delivered satanic verses. Jesus defeated Satan, Jesus was sinless. Muhammad is a sinner asked forgiveness from Allah 70X7 times a day. Don’t follow a sinner’s Book. Jesus is truth and Light. Both the names are advocated to God Almighty. Jesus is coming again. Muhammad’s body rotted in the grave.
#17 THINKERS, Mangalore
Are you circumcising? Where in Quran. Hadith is man-made. Allah never gave quran to Muhammad. Angel gave quran to Muhammad. Angel is not almighty, limited in Power. Satan can overtake angel. Satan cannot overtake God. Allah is from the 14th century. Where was allah before 14th century. Allah means in Hebrew Oak Tree. Allah means in Sanskrit Goddess. AlLat, Uzzah and Mannat. Allah is a greatest deceiver khayru al-makireena)! S. 3:54; cf. 8:30 In English translations purposely made it planner, scheduler and deceiver. Do Muhammad said in his mouth I am the last prophet. Show me from Uthman edited Quran. Do allah said worship me I am God. Allah never spoke to Muhammad in the Quran. Muhammad Hadith is the sayings of Muhammad. Muhammad was caught by the satan and delivered satanic verses. Jesus defeated Satan, Jesus was sinless. Muhammad is a sinner asked forgiveness from Allah 70X7 times a day. Don’t follow a sinner’s Book. Jesus is truth and Light. Both the names are advocated to God Almighty. Jesus is coming again. Muhammad is rotting in the grave.
Dear Prem Prasad,
Sometimes when we learn from cheddi hinduism its not what hindu scriptures says.. similarly there are half baked knowledge in all community... Even if you are reading english translated QURAN.. Its ok. God helps those who look for him HONESTLY> never keep hatred. instead read QURAN to understand, GOD and his attributes ... Allah is all powerful and all knowing... He even knows what is inside your heart even if you are sitting in the DARKEST place on EARTH.. there are some lessons in the QURAN, if we use our intellect rightly... then WE have a lot in this LIFE other than hatred and Jealousy... Come prem...Look for QURAN honestly.
Please know that ALLAH created everything and he sent many prophets when people deviated and worshiped created things...JeSus pbuh was also a messenger of God. Muhammad pbuh is the final and last messenger of God...
Please check the bible where Jesus says worship me, Hindu scriptures says NA TASYA PRATIMA ASTI... there is no image of GOD ... But cheddis will drag U to worship their man made Gods.. anyway QURAN says Use your intellect, Verify what quran speaks... Think and think again and accept what it says...
TRY IT PREM.
#14 THINKERS, Mangalore
Do you still depend on Quran and Hadith which is a trash. III caliph uthman manipulated and edited it, destroying all originals. Muhammad was made to read 7 versions of the Quran and you have only one quran manipulated by the III caliph uthman. The editor of the Quran was wounded by muslims in the Mosque. He ran away to his house. He was killed in cold blood in his house. His quran was soaked in blood. 9/11 is nothing for Muslims. You killed editor of the Quran. What a sarcastic religion you are following. 110-220 and several other sects ahmadies, salafies and kulfies.
Talibans, al qaidah, al nusrah, lashkar toiba etc, etc., RSS is nothing before these Muslims beheader, killers and butchers.
#14 THINKERS, Mangalore
I read English Quran. Muslims said you should read Arabic Quran because allah is limited to Arabic and Mecca. 5 times performing Salat turning the face to Mecca is in Arabic all over the world. Who needs this Limited allah never knowing humans other languages. Read Sanathana Dharma holy book and the holy Bible of Jesus Christ. you will shun your 110 shia and 220 sunni divide.
Prem prasad,
The media has spent a lot to keep guys like U to think the opposite way... I can suggest U to read QURAN .. U will understand every query which is having in your mind. When U feel hatred towards Muslims. Atleast check Yaar what is written in QURAN (Muslim book)...
Dont depend on cheddi media (JNU twisted issue is one)..and zionist media(9/11) ... which has taken people like you as a playboy for them by keeping the masses in FALSE msgs (There are many videos which exposes their evil works)
Understand LIFE and thank God that someone is introducing YOU to the DIVINE knowledge which will benefit in your LIFE & Life after death.... The more Hatred U keep in your heart, it is like YOU are carrying a MOUNTAIN in your back... So, honestly I suggest U to look QURAN which mentions about the LIFE & DEATH and how evil controls those who are FAR from the TRUTH.
#12 THINKERS, Mangalore
Godse killed Gandhi and no more. Muslims stabbed whole India from the back and the wounds are not healed. Why the Muslims wear Nuns dress and carry out suicide bombs. Whole world knows who are the terrorists.
Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Egypt,Sudan's Darfur and the world knows who are the terrorists - All Muslims support zionists.
Prem Prasad
Please ask the Cheddis WHY they dont wear nun's dress when they bomb and blame...
Come on Yaar, dont think we are stupids, whole india know who are bombers and who are innocent... We dont need to tell who is desh premi and who not... But Godse gang will definetely believe wat U say.
#10 THINKERS, Mangalore
You are not less than a Mohammad bin Tuglaq.
RSS are in self-defense.
Show one Christian Nun in full dress blown herself to kill terrorists and innocents in the name of Christianity.- You are bankrupt.
Prem prasad
Have u seen anyhwere in the media cheddis disguised as muslim planting the bombs and the authorities straight away blaming the muslims and FOOLS like U accepting such false newss...
Might be seen in zionist intelligence ...
#6 Rikaz, Mangalore
Have you seen anywhere in the world a fully covered nun carried out a suicide bombing.
The women is a show piece in the Christian land, Islam's Christianophoia. Who knows she plants bombs anywhere she is willing.
when nuns wear burka and go in flight....no issue at all...its hypocrisy...
Quran never say wear burqa, cover fully top to bottom. Hadith is man made.
She wants to switch seat. She is uncomfortable with the co-passenger.
Abdulle is from a Somalian dissent. Cover picture shows white from M.E. All deceptions.
USA is not taking excuses like France and Belgium. Good that the women is thrown out from the plane – safety first.
shame on USA, the so called liberator and democracy protector......
Divine teaching says it is better for YOU to wear your HIJAB...
People with lustful desires alwz oppose such divine teachings... forgetting that they will face their CREATOR one day. It is cos of the MERCY of ALLAH that U escape now... But he will take care of such trouble makers on its prescribed time.. Until then U enjoy your devilish acts... which will have an end and that end will be very severe .... Look how Pharoah was ruling over the people but in the end he has nothing...
QURAN speaks about the LIFE in this earth and how ALLAH bring back the LIFE after death to justify that has happened in this life.. The same way HE gave us life in the first place
It has created problems around the globe such as Iraq, Siria, Egypt, Libiya etc...now they want to live peacefully by evacuating Muslims from flight and country, if you see president nominate Donald Trump's speech where he does not want Muslims to enter US....
For the second time same airlines committed this hate crime in a month
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