Pandemic increases child mortality due to hunger by 10,000 per month - AP

Monthly child mortality due to pandemic-related hunger coronavirus will increase in the world by more than 10 thousand. This was reported with reference to UN data on July 27 by the Associated Press (AP). The total monthly increase in children who experience acute malnutrition due to infection-related restrictions is more than 550,000. From this it follows that over the year the number of such children will additionally increase by 6.6 million, while over 2019 year 47 million such cases were recorded. As the main consequences of chronic malnutrition in children, experts cite bloating, stunting and impaired mental development. The main factors affecting the deterioration of the situation are the cessation of access to the food market of the countries traditionally most affected by hunger and the reduction in the provision of medical care to their residents. It is noted that for the first time in many years, child mortality (under the age of five) will again begin to increase. At the same time, in 45% of cases, malnutrition or poor nutrition is the cause of child deaths. According to the news agency, a report published on June 9 by UN Secretary General António Guterres said that the fight against the pandemic and its consequences should be primarily aimed at helping the most vulnerable groups of the world's population. According to his forecast, the world is moving towards a food disaster that must be prevented.