The United Nations has raised concerns over the potential reversal of decades of progress in child mortality reduction due to severe funding cuts by major donors, a situation that could leave millions of children vulnerable.
According to a report released on Tuesday by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, global child deaths before the age of five fell to 4.8 million in 2023, while stillbirths remained at 1.9 million. However, the organization warns that financial setbacks could derail further progress.
“Since 2015, the annual rate of reduction of under-five mortality has slowed by 42%, and stillbirth reduction has slowed by 53%, compared to 2000–2015,” the report stated.
The Executive Director, for UNICEF, Catherine Russell, underscored the risks posed by dwindling investments in healthcare, which have led to shortages of health workers, clinic closures, and disruptions in vaccination and essential treatments.
“Millions of children are alive today because of the global commitment to proven interventions, such as vaccines, nutrition, and access to safe water and basic sanitation,” Russell noted. “But without the right policy choices and adequate investment, we risk reversing these hard-earned gains.”
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus called for increased international collaboration to mitigate the impact of these financial constraints.
“In the face of global funding cuts, there is a need more than ever to step up collaboration to protect and improve children’s health,” Ghebreyesus said.
The UN is now urging governments and global donors to renew their financial commitments to child survival programs, warning that failing to act could result in a resurgence of preventable child deaths, particularly in vulnerable and crisis-stricken regions.
