Ghouta child malnutrition worst in Syria’s war: UN

BEIRUT: Childhood malnutrition levels in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta region, under government siege since 2013, are the highest recorded in the country since its six-year war began, the UN said yesterday, reports AFP.

The UN children’s agency UNICEF said a November survey in the rebel-held area outside Damascus showed 11.9 percent of children under five were suffering from acute malnutrition, “the highest rate ever recorded in Syria” since the conflict started.

Humanitarian agencies have warned several times in recent months about the situation in Eastern Ghouta, after reports of deaths among children suffering malnutrition.

UNICEF said more than one-third of children covered in the study it conducted in the region in early November were stunted, “elevating their risk of delayed development, illness and death.”

“Acute malnutrition rates are highest among very young children,” it added. “Mothers of children under two years old have reportedly reduced or stopped breastfeeding altogether because of their own poor nutrition and the constant violence.”

 

Ghouta child malnutrition worst in Syrias war: UN

BEIRUT: Childhood malnutrition levels in Syrias Eastern Ghouta region, under government siege since 2013, are the highest recorded in the country since its six-year war began, the UN said yesterday, reports AFP. The UN childrens agency UNICEF said a November survey in the rebel-held area outside Damascus showed 11.9 percent of children under five were suffering from acute malnutrition, the highest rate ever recorded in Syria since the conflict started. Humanitarian agencies have warned several times in recent months about the situation in Eastern Ghouta, after reports of deaths among children suffering malnutrition. UNICEF said more than one-third of children covered in the study it conducted in the region in early November were stunted, elevating their risk of delayed development, illness and death. Acute malnutrition rates are highest among very young children, it added. Mothers of children under two years old have reportedly reduced or stopped breastfeeding altogether because of their own poor nutrition and the constant violence.