A new UNICEF report revealed a severe undernutrition crisis affecting 5.5 million infants under six months in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region (ESAR). The study highlights how widespread low birth weight, stunting, wasting, and underweight conditions are putting the youngest members of society at risk, with urgent calls for stronger policy interventions and healthcare improvements.
Conducted by UNICEF’s Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), the study examined the state of infant nutrition in five high-risk countries Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, and Malawi. The findings paint a dire picture, with 1.6 million infants suffering from stunting, 0.6 million classified as wasted, 0.8 million underweight, and 2.5 million born with low birth weight. However, experts believe the actual numbers could be even higher due to inconsistent data collection.
The report underscores that malnutrition in infants under six months often goes unnoticed in healthcare planning, leaving them vulnerable to illness, developmental delays, and lifelong health complications. The highest rates of infant wasting were recorded in Ethiopia at 9.4%, while Kenya reported the lowest at 3.5%. Stunting prevalence ranged from 12% in Kenya to 25% in Burundi and Madagascar, with underweight cases highest in Burundi and Madagascar at over 13%.
The crisis extends beyond infants, with the report also exposing high levels of malnutrition among women and adolescent girls. Anaemia affects nearly one-third of women of reproductive age across these five nations, while underweight prevalence among women aged 15-49 is as high as 22.4% in Ethiopia. Adolescent pregnancies, food insecurity, maternal malnutrition, HIV status, and birth complications were identified as major factors contributing to the crisis.
Despite existing national policies aimed at addressing malnutrition, UNICEF found significant gaps in implementation. Many countries lack clear protocols for outpatient care, effective links to supportive services, and sufficient guidance on infant feeding for those with disabilities. Maternal mental health remains largely neglected, and severe shortages in human resources, healthcare infrastructure, and medical supplies continue to hinder progress.
The 2023 WHO guidelines introduced expanded recommendations for managing at-risk infants, offering clearer criteria for inpatient versus outpatient care. UNICEF has urged governments in the region to integrate these updated guidelines into national policies and address resource constraints to strengthen their nutrition programs.
With millions of infants and mothers depending on urgent action, UNICEF’s findings serve as a wake-up call to bridge policy gaps and enhance healthcare services, ensuring better health outcomes for future generations across Eastern and Southern Africa.