Home Health 90% of Zimbabwean infants malnourished: UN Report

90% of Zimbabwean infants malnourished: UN Report

by BustopTV

By Paidashe Mandivengerei

A staggering 90% of Zimbabwean babies aged two years and below are not getting a balanced diet, United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food has said.

Speaking at a press conference at UN Information Centre, Hilal Elver said the infant mortality rate had skyrocketed in the past months because of malnutrition.

The country’s deteriorating economic situation has badly impacted many households.

Breastfeeding mothers are failing to get proper meals and this affects their babies who are grow up skinny.

“The majority of the children I met were stunted and underweight,” she said. “Child deaths from severe malnutrition have been rising in the past few months. 90 % of Zimbabwean children aged six months to two years are not consuming the minimum acceptable diet.

 

“I saw the ravaging effects of malnutrition on infants deprived of breast feeding because of their own mothers’ lack of access to adequate food.”

The rights expert added that women are turning to situations in which their rights are violated just so they can earn a living.

 

“In a desperate effort to find alternative means of livelihood, some women and children are resorting to coping mechanisms that violate their most fundamental human rights and freedoms. As a result, school drop-outs, early marriage, domestic violence, prostitution and sexual exploitation are on the rise throughout Zimbabwe.”

In Zimbabwe 5.5 million people in the rural areas and 2.2 million in urban areas have no access to sufficient and nutritious food.

The situation has been worsened by poor rainfalls and vile living conditions which citizens are exposed to.

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