Acute malnutrition in northeastern Syria

Acute malnutrition remains a serious concern throughout northeastern Syria due to insecurity, displacement, economic deterioration, insecure livelihoods, inadequate health services, and the water crisis and drought conditions that have gripped the country. Although UNICEF is currently providing life-saving nutrition services to prevent and treat acute malnutrition throughout the Northeast, more is needed.

The rate of acute malnutrition in al-Hasakah province increased in June 2021 as the drought began. Lack of safe water, in addition to extreme heat and limited access to health services, were major factors in the escalation, along with major concerns about limited access to food and inadequate nutrition. The next escalation of acute malnutrition is likely to peak in September.

Al-Raqqa Governorate began 2021 with a relatively high rate of acute malnutrition, partly due to COVID-19 prevention measures in 2020. The water crisis and drought conditions, as well as the lack of access and services, exacerbated this situation. The rate of acute malnutrition in al-Raqqa is projected to increase during 2022.

In 2021, UNICEF reached 33,600 children and caregivers with preventive nutrition and treatment services in al-Hasakah and al-Raqqa provinces. UNICEF prepares to provide food aid to 377,000 children in northeastern Syria due to drought-related food insecurity, along with current underlying factors such as war, displacement, unsustainable livelihoods, inadequate health care and economic deterioration Increased.

_{Source and Credit: RW}