News Center -The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has announced that almost eight million children under the age of 5 are at risk of dying from severe malnutrition.

Most of these children are in 15 countries suffering from acute food and medical aid shortages. These crisis-hit countries include Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Haiti and Yemen, according to the report released by UNICEF.

“Food prices have been rising sharply due to the war in Ukraine and persistent drought due to climate change in some parts of the world. The ongoing economic impact of COVID-19 has also contributed to the rise of cases of malnutrition among children,” the report said.

“There is no time to waste. Waiting for famine to be declared is waiting for children to die,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said.