It is common to say that we are all born equal. However, the reality is quite different. Malnourished babies are not born with the same opportunities as their well-nourished counterparts, and they often face significant challenges early in life. Indeed, chronic malnutrition during pregnancy and early childhood can have lifelong consequences for physical and cognitive development, leading to a cycle of poverty and inequality that is difficult to break.

Furthermore, chronic malnutrition remains a significant global problem, affecting around 900 million people, but it often goes unnoticed. Amazingly, more than 150 million of those affected are children with stunted growth, various health problems, and an increased risk of mortality. To put this in perspective, this number is approximately equivalent to the combined population of 18 countries in the European Union, including Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Portugal, Austria, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Finland, Denmark, Slovakia, Croatia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, and Hungary!

However, these statistics are not just numbers; they represent real people, families, and communities facing the tragedy of chronic malnutrition every day. Millions of children are being robbed of their potential, denying them a fair chance to succeed in life. Chronic malnutrition hampers progress, prosperity, and human dignity.

As we reflect on these alarming statistics, we need to ask ourselves: is it acceptable for this to happen in the 21st century, with all the technological and economic advances in the world?

Unfortunately, chronic malnutrition is particularly prevalent in low-income countries where poverty, lack of access to nutritious food, and poor health and sanitation conditions contribute to a cycle of malnutrition and poor health outcomes. While progress has been made in reducing the number of undernourished children in recent years, more needs to be done to meet this global challenge and ensure that every child has access to the food, health care, and support they need to reach their full potential.

There is hope. We can do something about it. We can face this challenge head-on and create a world where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential, free from the constraints of chronic malnutrition.

Addressing chronic malnutrition requires a comprehensive approach that covers the entire life cycle, from pregnancy to early childhood and beyond. This includes ensuring mothers have access to the right nutrients and care needed during pregnancy, promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of a child's life, and providing education and support on appropriate feeding practices and nutrition throughout childhood.

In addition to these specific nutrition interventions, it is also important to address the underlying causes of poverty and inequality, which can contribute to the cycle of malnutrition and poor health outcomes. This may include improving access to health care, clean water, and sanitation, as well as addressing broader social and economic factors such as gender inequality, lack of education, and limited economic opportunities.

In addition to the commendable work already done by governments, international organizations, the United Nations, NGOs and other partners, innovative financing is another crucial aspect that has the potential to unlock new funding from non-traditional sources. At UNCDF, we are working to achieve this goal through our UNITLIFE program. We operate crowdfunding, micro-donations, public-private partnerships, and market-based transactions with a diverse set of partners such as Ecobank, OnlyOne, ONOMO Hotels, Koosmik, and Retreeb, a socially responsible fintech.

Recently, UNITLIFE partnered with Retreeb to launch a limited collection of 34 NFTs called “17 goals for the future.” The first two NFT works were successfully auctioned on site at the NFT factory in Paris, and the rest of the collection will be available at online auctions starting March 1 at https://auction.retreeb.io.

Using blockchain technology and this innovative funding approach, we hope to motivate additional supporters and advocates committed to the cause of eliminating chronic malnutrition. Addressing chronic malnutrition will require sustained commitment from all sectors of society.

By working together and prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable and chronically malnourished, we can begin to make progress towards a world where everyone has the opportunity to grow and thrive.

We need your support, passion, and commitment to this cause. We need you to be the voice of the voiceless, the defender of the forgotten, and the champion of the marginalized. Together, we can create a world where no one goes hungry, no family needs anything, and no community is left behind.

Join us in this fight against chronic malnutrition. Stand with us as we work to create a better future for all. Together, we can make a difference and together, we can change the world.