The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has warned that women and children in Uganda’s refugee settlements face dire consequences of acute malnutrition.

Development Diaries reports that over 2,000 cases of acute malnutrition have already been recorded among women and children in the first quarter of 2023.

According to the IPC Acute Malnutrition Analysis 2022, it is estimated that 36,590 children aged six to 59 months across all refugee settlements are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition and are in need of treatment.

The situation has been further compounded by significant humanitarian funding reductions for critical services, such as health and nutrition, as well as food ration cuts by the World Food Programme (WFP).

Ahead of World Nutrition Day 2023, the IRC said immediate action was needed to mitigate this worrying trend.

‘The world is set to mark World Nutrition Day to raise awareness about the importance of the right to nutrition for all, yet, the current situation in Uganda’s refugee settlements paints a bleak picture’, the organisation said in a statement.

‘We need immediate action, and additional resources to fund critical service delivery, including health and nutrition, as well as more sustainable mechanisms such as improving livelihoods and environment-friendly agriculture.

‘The consequences of failing to address the issue could be dire, including poor child growth and development affecting education outcomes, maternal health challenges, the premature return of refugees to their countries of origin, and movement across borders in search of basic needs such as food, exposing them to unsafe and conflict situations, among other long-term implications’.

The humanitarian organisation called for an urgent response to the needs of the refugees.

Photo source: World Bank