France supports UNICEF nutrition fund to combat child malnutrition in Sudan

Paris, Sept 26 (KUNA) -- France announced on Saturday its support for the UNICEF Nutrition Fund, contributing to the prevention of nutrition crises and famine, and the fight against malnutrition in Sudan.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement that the announcement was made during an event organized by UNICEF on September 24 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, aimed at rallying the international community around the prevention of nutrition crises and famine.

The statement added that the conflict in Sudan has led to a confirmed famine in 2025, with conditions remaining catastrophic, as 35 percent of the population, or approximately 19.1 million people, suffer from acute food insecurity.

It clarified that the situation is more critical for children under five, with around 825,000 children facing acute and severe malnutrition that threatens their lives.

The statement noted that French support for the UNICEF Nutrition Fund will contribute to implementing a program for the prevention and treatment of malnutrition in the conflict-affected regions of Darfur and Kordofan, benefiting 100,000 people, including 80,000 children under five and 20,000 pregnant women and mothers of children under two.

It emphasized the importance of ensuring children receive essential nutritional needs during the first 1,000 days of life, a critical stage in their development, noting that French aid will be matched by similar funding from other donors committed to supporting UNICEF, thereby doubling the impact of France’s contribution for the benefit of Sudan’s most vulnerable children.

Sudan is currently witnessing a humanitarian crisis, with more than 25 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. (End)