Nutrition is a critical part of health and development it is the bedrock of child survival and development. Better nutrition is related to improved infant, child and maternal health, stronger immune systems, safer pregnancy and childbirth, lower risk of non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease), and longevity. Well-nourished children are better able to grow, learn, play and participate in their communities. They are also more resilient in the face of crisis.

Yet, today, many children are not getting the nutrition they need to survive and thrive. This is especially true for the poorest and most vulnerable children.

		Half of women and children in the country are micro-nutrient deficient and 58 per cent households are food insecure.
		Nearly 10 million Pakistani children suffer from stunting.
		8 out of 10 children in Pakistan do not eat right type and quantity of food.
		For every 10 children born in Pakistan, one will die before the age of five
		Close to half of all children under five are moderately or severely stunted
		54% of children under five are vitamin A deficient
		62% of children are anemic
		Some regions show up to 86% prevalence of childhood anemia

According to UNICEF at least one in three children under 5 is affected by malnutrition in its most visible forms: stunting, wasting and overweight.

Children affected by stunting – some 144 million under the age of 5, Wasting affects 47 million children globally, and Overweight affects nearly 38 million children under 5 worldwide.

Protect the Promise a UN report shows that women’s and children’s health has suffered globally, as the impacts of conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change converge with devastating effects on prospects for children, young people and women.

Nutrition & Climate Change

During emergencies, rates of malnutrition and death may increase substantially. Emergencies result in outcomes that can increase the risk of malnutrition, illness and death, and it is critical to protect the nutritional status of those affected.

In the aftermath of the devastating floods in Pakistan, health facilities are reporting alarming levels of severe acute malnutrition among children in affected areas, UNICEF warned today. More than 1 in 9 children under five admitted to health facilities in flood-affected areas of Sindh and Balochistan were found to be suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

More than four months after a national state of emergency was declared in Pakistan, up to 4 million children are still living near contaminated and stagnant flood waters, risking their survival and wellbeing, the number of cases of children identified as suffering from severe acute malnutrition in flood-affected areas monitored by UNICEF nearly doubled between July and December as compared to 2021; an estimated 1.5 million children are still in need of lifesaving nutrition interventions, UNICEF.

In response to the worsening child survival crisis, more than 800,000 children have been screened for malnutrition; 60,000 were identified as suffering from Severely Acute Malnutrition a life-threatening condition where children are too thin for their height  and referred for treatment with Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF). Over 25 million children and women across Pakistan, including more than 7 million children and women in flood-affected areas, require immediate access to essential nutrition services.

The First 1,000 Days 

The first 1,000 days refers to a child's life from the moment they are conceived until they reach 2 years of age (24 months). The 1,000 days from pregnancy to age two offer a crucial window of opportunity to create brighter, healthier futures.
It is a time of tremendous potential and enormous vulnerability. How well or how poorly mothers and children are nourished and cared for during this time has a profound impact on a child’s ability to grow, learn and thrive. This is because it is a time when a child’s brain, body and immune system grows and develops significantly.

Nutrition during the First 1,000 Days

Nutrition, in particular, plays a foundational role in a child’s development. Poor nutrition in the first 1,000 days can cause irreversible damage to a child’s growing brain, affecting the ability to do well in school and earn a good living and making it harder for a child and the family to rise out of poverty. It can also set the stage for later obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases which can lead to a lifetime of health problems.

Good nutrition starts before birth; maternal health affects the child in the womb and throughout early development. That’s why we need to understand and support children’s unique nutritional needs at every stage, particularly in the first 1,000 days, since it is the most critical for the healthy development of the brain, body, metabolism, and immune system.

The first 1000 days of a child's life are the most vulnerable and critical for building the foundations of optimum growth and development of the child. Nutritional supplementation during the first 1000 days of life has shown improvements in birth and growth outcomes and newborn stunting. Lack of adequate maternal nutrition during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum is associated with adverse maternal and child health outcomes, including poor birth outcomes.

The nutritional status of children in Pakistan is appalling, with 40.2% of the children under five stunted, 17.7% wasted, and 28.9% underweight, with a higher prevalence in rural areas than in urban areas.

The Importance of Breastfeeding-First 1,000 Days

Breast milk is the primary source of nutrition for newborns—containing the right amount of nutrients. That is why it is vital to ensure optimum breastfeeding for all children. Breastfeeding is a core part of “getting it right” in terms of nutrition in the first 1,000 Days.

Beyond physical health and development, however, breastfeeding also plays a key role in the healthy mental and emotional development of the infant. Breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition for the first months and years of life, alongside suitable complementary food after six months, but it also supports the development of the child’s immune system and protects against a number of non-communicable diseases in later life as well.

According to the World Health Organization, breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure health and survival. Not only is breast milk the best source of nutrition for most infants, but it also protects against certain illnesses and diseases ranging from gastrointestinal infections to sudden infant death syndrome. Mothers need a supportive environment, including access to healthcare and community aid, to ensure that they can continue breastfeeding until a child’s second birthday.