Geneva/New York/Washington — The United Nations has warned that progress in reducing child mortality is at risk due to global funding cuts.
According to new data from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 4.8 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2023, while 1.9 million stillbirths occurred.
“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,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “But without the right policy choices and adequate investment, we risk reversing these hard-earned gains.”
Child survival at stake
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned: “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.”
The UN says underfunding is already causing “shortages of health-care workers, clinic closures, and interruptions to services like vaccination and malaria treatment.”
“Most preventable child deaths occur in low-income countries, where essential services, vaccines, and treatments are often inaccessible,” said Juan Pablo Uribe of the World Bank. “With strategic investments and strong political will, we can continue to reduce child mortality.”
UN DESA’s Li Junhua added: “Reducing such differences is not just a moral imperative but also a fundamental step towards sustainable development and global equity. Every child deserves a fair chance at life.”
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