Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Hungary
Delegate Name: Mary Riddle
Committee: United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF)
Topic: Combating Malnutrition
Country: Hungary
Delegate: Mary Riddle
Malnutrition is an epidemic defined as a lack of proper nutrition. Around 45 million children suffered from wasting(being too thin), and 148 million suffered from stunting(too short), among many more unaccounted for. This epidemic doesn’t just target children under 5, but it is also a major problem for pregnant people (primarily in countries in conflict due to a lack of sufficient healthy food), refugees, and people 65+ years. Recently in 2021, the European Commission started the European child guarantee that promises to help bring adequate nutrition, clean water, and housing to children in all of Europe. Together, we need to come together to find stronger solutions that will help a wider scope of people, and bring more change to our nations.
Hungary is focused on a multi-layered approach which involves nationwide and world wide approaches. In 2025, Hungary was 1 in 25 countries with a GHI score of under 5. Although the score reflects a lower rate of malnutrition, it is still a present issue that needs to be addressed. Malnutrition also links to poverty and inadequate access to clean drinking water. In the past few decades(2004), Hungary has joined the European Union. In 2021, the European Commission announced they would implement an initiative to help fight against malnutrition with their goal of healthy nutrition, free healthcare. One of Hungary’s newer goals is combating their overnutrition and obesity rates.
Hungary is aware that malnutrition in children is an issue and is actively finding ways to combat it. Hungary supports organizations that are on track to make progress in malnutrition and food insecurity. Hungary needs to focus on nutrient dense food rather than food that is not filling and bad for your overall health. The European Commission has helped European children get free lunch at school over long holidays, and bring food home to their families. This should be the bare minimum of what security these children have when it comes to nutrition.
Hungary would support solutions that have not only malnutrition, but overnutrition in mind. Healthy and adequate food overall is crucial for children to thrive in the future. Hungary would also support not only world wide, but nation wide solutions to add more layers of security. Hungary would support programs that would address malnutrition not only in their country, but other countries as well. Hungary is willing to help other countries start on track as long as they are willing to put their focus and money into it too. These solutions would work by making sure that there is a wider scope of people being helped and make sure our whole world population is getting better.
Hungary strongly believes that malnutrition has multiple layers to it, so making sure we are widening our range is very important. Hungary is excited to work with other nations to come together and fight this challenge as one. We look forward to speaking with them to discuss the next steps that will be needed to get plans into action.
