wfn.org | Malnutrition Kills 7 Million Children Annually

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
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Note 516 by UMNS on Dec. 18, 1997 at 16:03 Eastern (5295 characters).

CONTACT: Thomas S. McAnally			704(10-21-71B){516}
	    Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470	Dec. 18, 1997

Seven million children die of malnutrition
each year, according to UNICEF report

by United Methodist News Service

	For United Methodists working on issues related to children and poverty,
their worst suspicions have been confirmed by UNICEF, the United Nations
Children’s Fund.
	A "State of the World’s Children" report, issued by UNICEF Dec. 16, states
that malnutrition contributes to nearly seven million child deaths every year
-- more than any infectious disease, war or natural disaster.
	Even when malnutrition does not kill, it can leave victims physically maimed,
intellectually impaired and suffering from the consequences of a weakened
immune system, the report observes.
    "God must wonder why we allow precious children to suffer and die from
hunger when a world can be created in which all share in the basic
opportunities of life," said Bishop Jack Meadors of Mississippi, chairperson
of a United Methodist task force on the issue. "The time is now to answer
Christ’s call and to act on what we know to remove and prevent this needless
suffering."
     Meadors’ task force is guiding an initiative on children and poverty that
was launched by the United Methodist Council of Bishops in 1996. The
initiative is being carried out by church members around the world.     
	"The persistence of malnutrition has profound and frightening implications
for children, society and the future of humankind," said UNICEF Executive
Director Carol Bellamy.  "Yet this worldwide crisis has stirred little public
alarm, despite substantial and growing scientific evidence of the danger."
	While malnutrition has been reduced dramatically in some parts of the world,
the overall number of malnourished children is rising, according to the
report. No less than half of all children under the age of 5 in South Asia and
one-third of those in sub-Saharan Africa are malnourished.
	Hunger is not limited to the developing world, however. In the United States,
about 13 million children –- or one in four younger than 12 -– do not receive
enough nourishment, the report says.
	Starvation arising from famine, war and other catastrophes, although much
covered by the world media, is responsible for only a tiny part of the
worldwide nutrition crisis, the publication points out.
	"Malnutrition is not a simple matter of whether a child can satisfy his or
her appetite," Bellamy said. "A child who eats enough to avoid immediate
hunger can still be malnourished. Good nutrition relies on a combination of
adequate nutritious food, good health services and proper care for both
pregnant women and children."
	The report shows how a lack of access to adequate amounts of vitamins,
minerals and food affects development. Like the breakthroughs in immunization
in the 1980s, low-cost nutritional supplements could be one of the most
significant new public health interventions for the late 1990s, Bellamy said.
	Children and poverty emerged as the focus of a major initiative in 1996, when
the Council of Bishops outlined biblical and theological foundations for a
churchwide effort.
	"The crisis among children and impoverished people is, in reality, a
spiritual crisis that affects all persons," the bishops said.
     "The growing fear and sense of powerlessness and boredom among the middle
class and affluent have roots in the poverty of vision, community, and hope.
The ‘poverty of affluence’ and economic poverty are related. Without a
challenging vision that includes justice and compassion for the most
vulnerable, we become self-absorbed."
	Because of its diversity within the United States and its position as a world
church, United Methodism is in a unique place to address the needs of children
and poverty.
     At their most recent meeting at Lake Junaluska, N.C., in November, the
bishops recommended a $12 million "Hope for the Children of Africa" appeal,
which has since received the necessary approval of the church’s financial
agency. The financial appeal will be launched during the Easter season, and
the bishops hope to reach their fund-raising goal by the end of the year 2000.
	Since launching the initiative in 1996, the bishops have given time at each
of their semi-annual meetings to hear from children and workers with children.
 
Resources have also been developed for use in annual (regional) conferences
and local churches. Announced at their November meeting was a new resource
including 75 concrete actions in nine categories that congregations can take
to become "A Church for All God’s Children."
     Available only from bishops, the new resource focuses on:
· educating the congregation about the needs of children and the poor;
· making church facilities safe and welcoming for children and the poor;
· reducing the risk of child abuse;
· helping children grow as faithful disciples;
· involving children in the life of the church;
· reaching out to children in the community;
· advocating for legislation and public policies that improve the lives of
children and poor families;
· relating to children around the world;
· building administrative supports for ministry with children and the poor.
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