In a recent statement, the US mission in Islamabad expressed their commitment to working with Pakistan to combat the malnutrition crisis that has put millions of Pakistani children at risk of death. Following the devastating 2022 floods that disproportionately affected women and children, the spokesperson Jonathan Lalley emphasized the importance of every child having the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong.
Out of the $215m provided by the US for flood relief and recovery, nearly $100m has been allocated for addressing malnutrition through partnerships with organizations like the UN’s World Food Programme and Unicef. A significant number of malnourished children have been treated, pregnant women provided with prenatal care, and essential healthcare services offered.
Moreover, the US and World Health Organisation have established nutrition stabilization centers in Balochistan and Sindh, while US Ambassador Donald Blome oversaw the delivery of therapeutic food to thousands of children. Overall, the efforts have reached hundreds of thousands of mothers, children, and healthcare workers.
Despite the complex nature of Pakistan’s malnutrition crisis, there is hope for improvement as the country continues to receive support and aid from international partners like the US.
Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2024
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