Children Petition President to Address Hunger and Malnutrition

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In a heartfelt plea, children in Zambia have petitioned President Hakainde Hichilema, Traditional Leaders, the United Nations, and Parliament to urgently address the pressing issues of hunger and malnutrition affecting millions of children in the country.

Seventeen-year-old Esther Mambo presented the petition on behalf of her peers at the launch of the ENOUGH Campaign by World Vision Zambia which aims to address child hunger and malnutrition.

The campaign seeks to make vulnerable children more visible, amplify their voices in policy and funding decisions, and ensure they are better fed, nourished, and resilient.

"Hunger is the worst enemy facing children both at home and school," she emphasized. "We know that good nutrition in schools and at home is essential for our growth and development."

Esther highlighted the dire consequences of hunger and malnutrition, including limited school meals, dropout rates, early pregnancies, and child marriages. "We want to be happy and healthy children because a country that feeds its children cultivates its future," she stressed.

Esther Mambo

Immediate action is crucial to protecting the rights of children in a rapidly changing world, as their future hangs in the balance.

UNICEF's flagship report dubbed, "the State of the World's Children 2024: The Future of Childhood in a Changing World," warns that three major global forces – demographic change, climate and environmental crises, and breakthrough technologies – will significantly impact children's lives by 2050 and beyond.

The report https://www.unicef.org/reports/state-of-worlds-children/2024#downloads notes that demographic shifts, such as population growth, urbanization, and migration, will affect children's lives. Climate change will have devastating effects on children's health, education, and well-being. 

In Zambia, the situation is indeed dire and demands immediate attention. 

According to the https://www.zamstats.gov.zm/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Child-Poverty-Report-2023.pdf, the country is grappling with severe drought, floods, and pest infestations, which have led to a significant decline in maize production and a subsequent surge in food prices.

This has resulted in a food crisis, with over 2.2 million people facing acute food shortages and possible malnutrition.

Almost 52,000 children under five are expected to suffer from severe waste, a deadly form of malnutrition, within the next 12 months if urgent preventive measures are not taken. 

Another 276,000 children under five will experience moderate waste. 

The Western, Southern, Central, and North-Western provinces are particularly affected, with over half of households facing moderate to severe hunger.

Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo pledged to deliver the petition to the President, acknowledging the crucial role of partnerships in addressing poverty among children. The government is working with World Vision Zambia to develop climate-resilient agricultural strategies and enhance food production.

 

Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo

World Vision Zambia's National Director, Marc Nosbach, emphasized the devastating impact of hunger on education, leading to desperate measures such as child labor and exploitation. 

"The ENOUGH Campaign presents an opportunity to urgently address fundamental issues affecting millions of children," he said.

World Vision Zambia National Director, Marc Nosbach
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