That warning came from the UN World Health Organization (WHO) on Universal Health Coverage Day on Tuesday, which stated that without urgent action, “these gaps will only widen.”
The head of the health agency, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted that investing in resilient health systems, based on strong primary health care, is “the most inclusive, equitable and cost-effective path to universal health coverage,” defined as a situation in which all people can access health services. need, without financial difficulties.
Health systems that can respond to crises, such as the rapidly advancing climate emergency, can prevent millions of additional deaths each year, the WHO insisted.
In a political declaration last September, world leaders pledged to redouble their efforts to achieve universal health coverage by 2030.
The WHO said it is working with countries to reorient health systems toward a primary health care approach “that can help deliver 90 percent of essential health services while saving 60 million lives.” by 2030″.
Record hunger in West and Central Africa: UN humanitarians
Food insecurity has continued to worsen in West and Central Africa and the number of hungry people will reach a “staggering 49.5 million” by the middle of next year, UN humanitarian agencies said on Tuesday.
“Acute hunger remains at record levels in the region, but the funding needed to respond is not keeping pace,” said World Food Program (WFP) regional director Margot Vandervelden, stressing that due to lack of funds, the WFP has been forced to reduce rescue needs. assistance to those who need it.
Acute hunger in West and Central Africa is mainly due to conflicts that have forced millions of people from their homes and farms, along with the climate crisis and high food and fuel prices.
More than two in three households cannot afford a healthy diet, the cost of which in countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger is 110 percent higher than the daily minimum wage.
Four out of five youngest children in the region do not consume the minimum number of food groups they need for optimal growth and development, warned the WFP, together with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Organization of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
In the first ten months of 2023, 1.9 million children under five years of age were admitted for treatment due to severe wasting in nine Sahel countries, representing a 20 percent increase from last year.
UNICEF launches $9.3 billion emergency funding appeal
In response to an alarming rise in humanitarian crises, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday launched an emergency funding appeal for $9.3 billion to reach at least 93.7 million children living in 155 countries.
Life-saving humanitarian aid will be essential in a world increasingly affected by brutal conflict, poverty, polarization and the effects of the climate crisis, the agency said in a press release.
UNICEF aims to reach approximately 147 million people in total with humanitarian assistance.
“Millions of children remain trapped in humanitarian crises that are growing in complexity and scaleand that increasingly strain our resources to respond,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
“With flexible and predictable funding, UNICEF and its partners can quickly help children in need from the moment an emergency occurs, while preparing for future risks to save and improve lives.”
The $9.3 billion appeal underscores the urgency of addressing the growing multifaceted challenges facing children, UNICEF said.
In conflict zones, children endure the harsh realities of violence and displacement, facing daily threats of physical harm, emotional trauma, and the disruption of their education and essential services.
While children in violence-affected areas face the widespread impact on their well-being, facing the psychological cost of instability and increased risk of exploitation and abuse.
On Tuesday, the United Nations Population Fund, which advocates for sexual and reproductive health, launched a $1.2 billion humanitarian appeal to support 48 million people with reproductive health and gender-based violence services in 58 countries during the next year.
