Combating Malnutrition

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Slovenia
Delegate Name: Ashley Tesmer

Committee: UNICEF
Topic A: Combatting Child Malnutrition
Country: The Republic of Slovenia
Delegate: Ashley Tesmer
School: Grand Haven High School

Across Slovenia, belief holds that nourishment follows breath, nothing more required. When plates stay full here, eyes still turn where conflict steals supper from homes far away. Starvation digs deeper than hunger pangs – it bends childhood safety, growth, survival itself. Treaties signed long ago whisper duty: feeding children belongs among life’s non-negotiables. Out here, feeding kids ties straight into calm tomorrow. What does UNICEF do? Keeps showing up – not a phase, never a choice, simply what is needed while any child still waits.
Children thrive best when doctors keep an eye on them early. Clinics track height, offer tips, so parents discover better ways to fill tiny plates. Full bellies show up everywhere, yet gaps in nourishment linger behind the scenes. Wealthy countries watch waistlines climb among teenagers – a sign that eating enough misses the point if food lacks sense. What fills the gut does not always fuel the body right. Still, Slovenia gets it – fixing hunger means also tackling overeating. Lessons on meals start young, medical checkups follow close behind; balance slowly builds that way. Food aid arrives fast when storms hit faraway farms. Still, packets handed through chaos fix little beyond the moment. Slovenia thinks deeper shifts matter more than quick drops of supplies. Helping children eat today must walk alongside growing local harvests tomorrow. Poverty weakens families even where borders stay calm. So fair rules shape healthier lives just as much as lunch programs do. Lasting change hides in quiet steps – steady ones that treat each young person like they belong. Far from just handing out supplies, Slovenia helps villages grow their own food right where they live. Because when tiny farms get proper gear, honest buyers, and plants that handle tough weather, entire towns lean less on shaky delivery routes. Meals showing up every day keep kids in class, away from hospital visits, steady in body and mind. With stronger ways to feed themselves, war or storms won’t drag youth straight into hardship.
Learning makes a difference, too. When parents understand how breast milk helps babies, why meals need variety, and why clean cooking matters, that knowledge stops hunger early. Still, safety nets like free lunches for pupils or cash aid focused on young kids guard vulnerable homes when money gets tight. In Slovenia’s eyes, such efforts aren’t handouts – they’re seeds planted in human potential. Well-fed children grasp lessons faster, join activities more freely, and build communities with greater impact down the road. Slovenia itself has a universal free lunch policy in all primary schools. Currently, this program is only accessible to low-income families, but Slovenia continues with hopes of furthering the implementation of this program in 2027.
Working together across borders still matters most. Facing climate shifts, sudden cost surges, or wars that break food chains takes more than one nation acting solo. Instead of going their separate ways, nations like Slovenia team up through groups such as the EU and UN to pool resources, swap information, and track results to help get to kids without delay or waste. On-site presence, accurate reporting, speaking up for young voices – these are things UNICEF does well, fitting naturally into wider efforts. From villages to policy rooms, steady field work backed by facts keeps children visible where decisions unfold. A child fed well carries more than a full stomach. Dignity lives in meals served regularly, chances open wider when hunger fades, and equity shows up at the table. Growing strong helps children stay in classrooms longer, strengthens their role in calm neighborhoods, and shapes adulthood with better health. The first step forward? A plate within reach. Every single one matters, no exceptions.

Works Cited
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023. FAO, 2023.
OECD. Health at a Glance: Europe 2023. OECD Publishing, 2023.
United Nations. Convention on the Rights of the Child. 1989.
UNICEF. ‘Malnutrition.’ UNICEF Data, data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/.
World Food Programme. Global Report on Food Crises 2023. WFP, 2023.
World Health Organization. European Regional Obesity Report 2023. WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2023.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Nigeria
Delegate Name: Owen Baar

Country: Nigeria, the Federal Republic of
School: Grand Haven High School
Committee: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Topic: Combating Malnutrition

Malnutrition is a large problem in many countries, especially in underdeveloped nations. Children are especially vulnerable to malnutrition, which stunts their physical and mental growth, sometimes irreversibly, with cases of around a third of Nigerian children under 5 being stunted (“Understanding”). Children who have been malnourished for a prolonged amount of time can face the lethal condition of severe acute malnutrition, or SAM, which, if untreated, kills the child by rendering their digestive system unable to absorb nutrients or by weakening their immune system to be susceptible to common and rare diseases (“Child alert”). Fortunately, food has been designed to combat SAM and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), with ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) providing a 6-8 week recovery time for children with SAM. Cases of malnourishment in children can be traced to poverty, conflict and displacement, and disease outbreaks, and in Nigeria, unaffordable food prices deepen child malnourishment in the North (“Urgent”). Parents who are uneducated about malnutrition can also accidentally fuel child malnutrition by not providing children the adequate nutrients that they need. Uneducated parents may not be able to identify symptoms of malnutrition as well, which can result in children being rushed to overcrowded hospitals when their symptoms get deadly. Because of the lack of parents understanding the benefits, children may also not be exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months, which could harm the child’s development. Worsening malnourishment worldwide can also be attributed to the withdrawal of funding for food programs from the US and European countries, with overall funding from countries to the World Food Programme decreasing by USD 3.2 trillion dollars between 2024 and 2025 (“Contributions”).
The Federal Republic of Nigeria understands the harm of child malnutrition all too well. With nearly half of our population being under the age of 18, and malnutrition being an underlying cause of death for many, Nigeria takes this topic very seriously (Nigeria Health Watch). Around 45% of all deaths of children under 5 are because of underlying malnutrition, causing Nigeria to see malnutrition in children as a large threat to the health of our youth. (“Nutrition”). This concern is reflected in all levels of the government, from the federal level where the Nigerian Vice President has stated that malnutrition deprives 40% of children under 5 of their full physical and cognitive potential (“Urgent”), to the state level where the Jigawa State government has made their own programs to combat food insecurity by educating mothers on how to make nutritious meals and how to identify SAM in their children (Nigeria Health Watch).
Nigeria endorses many efforts to combat child malnutrition in our country, and emphasizes the need for foreign aid, cooperation with the government and communities, and educating parents. Foreign aid is critical, as it allows money to be distributed to Nigerian parents in the North who face unaffordable food costs and food supplies, especially in RUTF, which can help treat children who have SAM (“Urgent”). Unfortunately, a deduction of 3.2 trillion dollars of funding to the World Food Programme from other countries has caused 1.3 million Nigerians in the Northeast to no longer have the aid that the World Food Programme provided (“Urgent”). Supplies of RUTF and RUSF (ready-to-use supplemental food) for SAM and MAM, respectively, are essential, as they pave the road to a healthy child, and the food has a long shelf-life, and it can be responsibly used by parents, which alleviates pressure on overcrowded hospitals (“Understanding”). As a sort of silver lining, the lack of funding from other countries may be able to persuade them to fund factories that produce RUTF and RUSF in Nigeria and other countries facing high child malnutrition, which would long-term lessen the amount of food that countries need to send to the countries needing it. However, communication would be necessary to establish with the population, especially so that parents do not irresponsibly use RUTF, and so that parents can identify if their child has SAM or MAM. Such methods of communication can include local governments having seminars or even incentivizing the media to disseminate the information across the population.

Works Cited
“Child alert: Severe wasting | UNICEF.” Unicef, 16 May 2022, https://www.unicef.org/child-alert/severe-wasting. Accessed 10 February 2026.
“Contributions by year: World Food Programme.” UN World Food Programme, https://www.wfp.org/funding. Accessed 10 February 2026.
Nigeria Health Watch. “Masaki: A community’s approach to ending hunger and malnutrition in Jigawa State.” Nigeria Health Watch, 25 August 2025, https://articles.nigeriahealthwatch.com/masaki-a-communitys-approach-to-ending-hunger-and-malnutrition-in-jigawa-state/. Accessed 10 February 2026.
“Nutrition | UNICEF Nigeria.” Unicef, https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/nutrition. Accessed 10 February 2026.
“Understanding the malnutrition crisis in Nigeria.” Nuflower Foods & Nutrition, 28 February 2025, https://www.nuflowerfoods.com/blogs/understanding-the-malnutrition-crisis-in-nigeria/. Accessed 10 February 2026.
“Urgent: An alarming malnutrition crisis in Northern Nigeria.” https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/urgent-alarming-malnutrition-crisis-northern-nigeria. Accessed 10 February 2026.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Somalia
Delegate Name: Sylvia Duncan

Distinguished Delegates and Honorable Chair, Malnutrition is a violation of children’s rights and half of all child deaths are linked to lack of proper nutrition. Malnutrition continues to affect many children around the world, in particular children from developing countries from places such as Southern Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.The UN general assembly extended the “United Nations Decade act on action” originally meant to last until 2025 to now lasting until 2030[5-WHO]. While this is good for the UN, it is important to also focus on specific countries and areas as well as looking at everyone as a hole. Malnutrition is something that should not be ignored and can be solved with the help of all the countries in UNICEF to make good decisions on how to best solve this issue.
Somalia has a huge problem with malnutrition: an estimate of 1.5 million children are at risk of life threatening levels of malnutrition which is a lot for only a population of 16 million people[2-OWID]. UNICEF has done many things in Somalia in the past that have positively benefited the company. UNICEF has active nutrition programs in 70 of the 74 districts in Somalia, with services at 1,000 nutrition facilities which includes 400 mobile units. Somalia has massive problems with malnutrition and these programs sponsored by UNICEF help greatly[1-WHO]. On the topic of malnutrition, Mohammad Mohamed Hassan, County director for save children in Somalia said “ Children are arriving at health centers in critical condition as families survive on just one meal a day.” also that “Families are arriving at the camp with nothing -no food, no animals and not even basic household tools”[4-STC]. Nearly half of the children 5 years old and younger could face acute malnutrition in Somalia due funding cuts that reduce the health and nutrition services across the country.
The delegation of Somalia calls the international community to mobilize resources to restore and expand nutrition, health, and water services especially with the high amount of budget cuts that many countries rely on for resources[3-UWFP]. Solutions for Eliminating children malnutrition include educating mothers on how to adequately feed their children and micronutrient supplements and vitamins to pregnant women and young children[4-STC]. Another solution is to train caregivers to screen children for malnutrition which would support early detection giving the best chances for a full recovery.
Somalia is ready to collaborate with other delegates to help find the best creative and long term solutions to help fight this massive problem that is affecting millions worldwide.
Works Cited
“Fact Sheets – Malnutrition.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 1 Mar. 2024, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malnutrition.
Ritchie, Hannah. “Half of All Child Deaths Are Linked to Malnutrition.” Our World in Data, 9 Sept. 2024, ourworldindata.org/half-child-deaths-linked-malnutrition.
“Millions in Somalia at Risk of Worsening Hunger as WFP Faces Critical Funding Shortfall: World Food Programme.” UN World Food Programme, www.wfp.org/news/millions-somalia-risk-worsening-hunger-wfp-faces-critical-funding-shortfall. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
“Save the Children | Nearly Half of Somalia’s Youngest Children at Risk of Malnutrition.” Save the Children , 2025, www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us/media-and-news/2025-press-releases/somalia-youngest-children-at-risk-malnutrition.
“United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016–2025) Extended to 2030.” World Health Organization, 26 Mar. 2025, www.who.int/news/item/26-03-2025-united-nations-decade-of-action-on-nutrition-(2016-2025)-extended-to-2030.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Sierra Leone
Delegate Name: Ainsley Laverty

The delegation of Sierra Leone is honored to address the critical issue of combating malnutrition and digital equity for children. Sierra Leone is a unitary presidential republic led by Julius Maada Bio, with a population of 8.6 million. After the Sierra Leonean Civil War (1991-2002), it has worked on post-conflict recovery. Which include peacebuilding, and addressing issues like human rights and reducing poverty rates. Sierra Leone joined the United Nations 54 years ago as a nonpermanent member. It has now joined the Security Council after its 11-year civil war to embark on a 20-year post-war rebuilding.
Combating Malnutrition
Malnutrition is a sickness that occurs when an individual’s diet does not provide enough nutrients to sustain them. This is an issue since it affects people daily all over the world, causing poor life quality and high fatality rates. The UN has tried combating malnutrition using different agencies like the World Food Programme (WFP) and United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Attempting efforts like school feeding programs, or emergency food aid. Despite these efforts, malnutrition is still a big problem throughout the world for many different reasons. These reasons include: climate change, lack of political funding, and sanitation issues. The UN’s efforts didn’t work to help these root causes of malnutrition. Sierra Leone is currently combating malnutrition by doing the “feed Salone” initiative, this has been used to produce agricultural productivity, and cuts down on being dependent on food imports. Sierra Leone is using school feeding programs to combat malnutrition for children under five years old, this helps around 300,000 children. This current plan is not working because it only truly supports children under five, and as we know malnutrition does not have an age restriction. The country is still heavily dependent on food imports, it imports lots of rice since it is its staple food. To be less dependent on other countries for food Sierra Leone should provide more government funding towards its agricultural sector, rather than spending that money on imports.
Digital Equity for Children
Children’s digital equity makes sure that all children have continuous access to the internet, used to improve digital literacy skills and help children receive education all around. This matters because it ensures that some children won’t be put at a disadvantage due to not having access to education resources. The UN has tried to ensure digital equity for children through agencies like the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). They have done this by advocating for child online safety, developing global frameworks, and connecting communities and schools. These attempts didn’t work due to infrastructure gaps, affordability, and safety concerns. Sierra Leone has faced digital equity through a “radically inclusive” strategy. The country has created plans like National Digital Learning Strategy (NDLS); Connectivity, Computer, Capabilities, and Content, Learning Passport, and READY Salone. These projects have focused on helping children, women, and the disabled from low-income families access the internet safely. Sierra Leone will continue with these projects, since they are fairly new and working so far, it will use these programs and see the results later on with them.
Sierra Leone proposes that the other countries should put more of its government spending into their domestic agricultural sector, rather than relying on other countries for food. This will help countries from relying fully on imports, and protect them from the possibility of losing ties with the country that is providing food supply. Sierra Leone believes that other countries should create new programs like the ones it has made, to ensure children digital equity.

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.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Zimbabwe
Delegate Name: Eva Carr

2/8/26
United Nations Children’s Fund
From: Zimbabwe
Delegate Name: Eva Carr
Topic: Combating Malnutrition

Malnutrition threatens the lives of over half a million Zimbabwean children under the age of five today. Approximately 580,000 Zimbabwean children live in severe food poverty putting them at risk of up to 50% of wasting – a form of malnutrition.
Zimbabwe is attempting to address this critical issue of malnutrition and its effects on Zimbabwean children. Over 61% of children experience income poverty and 36% of children experience food insecurity. While Zimbabwe has numerous programs helping to spread support for reducing malnutrition, these programs have not sufficiently reduced the number of children affected and as a result, it and its fatal effects on children continue to rise. In 2024, 36,724 children received nutritional meals across 123 districts because the Emergency Social Cash Transfer (ESCT) program funded by UNICEF supported integrated school nutrition, education, and social protection services for vulnerable children. However, many programs like this one, are underfunded and lack success in officially reducing malnutrition in Zimbabwean children. Zimbabwe is a low income country. In 2022, it ranked 159 out of 193 in the Human Development Index and according to a sample survey conducted in 2000, 89% of households interviewed reported food shortages for almost the entire year.
Complicating the issue is severe drought in southern Africa. The drought has destroyed harvests in a region where 70% of the population relies on agriculture to survive, leaving Zimbabweans with a lack of essential resources they rely on. Extreme weather events like El Niño, a recurring weather pattern resulting in warming in ocean surface temperature, have caused drought throughout southern Africa drying out maize crops, harming agriculture, and livestock – essential resources for nutrition resulting in water scarcity and food insecurity. Even though El Niño has passed, it occurs roughly every two to seven years on a repeating cycle of environmental damage and furthermore human (specifically children) health damage – a leading cause of malnutrition. The lean season is another period that could severely heighten acute malnutrition and water scarcity in Zimbabwe as this is a time when food availability is at its lowest. It starts between planting and harvesting from late May/early June and can last until November.
Other than intense, recurrent weather patterns and poverty affecting the source of food, other factors contributing to malnutrition include: HIV/AIDS which most commonly affects children whose mothers test positively for HIV, putting them at higher risk for stunting, wasting, and being underweight, limited employment opportunities in families, and a lack of access to local markets.
Combating malnutrition in Zimbabwe requires interventions providing nutritious food and clean water to vulnerable Zimbabwean children, training families to look out for signs of malnutrition in a child, ensuring food distribution in programs by monitoring and evaluating interventions, and partnering with healthcare providers who can treat malnutrition.
Zimbabwe seeks collaboration and possible solutions similar to its own from other delegates to this dire issue in hope of reducing and someday ceasing malnutrition and its fatal effects on children.
Citations
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fsn3.2509
https://www.fundsforngos.org/all-proposals/a-sample-proposal-for-addressing-child-malnutrition-in-zimbabwe/#:~:text=Proposed%20Intervention:%20Access%20to%20Nutritious,for%20overall%20health%20and%20nutrition.&text=Win%20more%20Grants-,Premium%20Membership%20helps%20you%20find%20new%20grants,you%20to%20raise%20them%20successfully.&text=Implementing%20water%20purification%20systems%20and,diseases%20that%20often%20accompany%20malnutrition.
https://www.unocha.org/news/five-things-you-need-know-about-el-nino-induced-drought-southern-africa
https://centreforpublicimpact.org/public-impact-fundamentals/tackling-malnutrition-in-zimbabwe/

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Venezuela
Delegate Name: Lucia Ruiz

2/8/26
Submitted To: UNICEF
From: Venezuela
Delegate Name: Lucia Ruiz
Subject: Combatting Malutrition

Venezuela’s children are currently being impacted by malnutrition which has been caused by the economic decline in the past decade. The poverty rate as of 2024 is 73.2% while extreme poverty falls at 36.5%. The inflation rate weighs in at 682.1% (annual percentage change as of 2026) . As a result, with such high prices, the people cannot afford an everyday life for themselves or their families, and this leaves citizens struggling to obtain food. Considering current events such as the state of the Venezuelan government with the kidnapping of our president Nicolas Maduro, the poverty rate will likely increase as well which raises concern for the wellbeing of the citizens.
While we as a nation have some food distribution programs in place domestically, these are not enough to combat the larger issue. One such organization is CLAP, which is a Venezuelan food distribution programme that provides food packages to the most vulnerable parts of the population. This is one of the several government run food programs and this program does provide food, but it has been proven to be corrupt by a network of people including government officials and Alex Nain Saab a Colombian buisiness man (who orchestrated the corruption). The program still operates today despite this setback as well as several other food programs just through the Venezuelan government like Mercal (subsidized markets) and PDVAL (focus on selling food/essential items at affordable non-inflated prices).
Outside of these national food services international programs have also stepped in. Notable programs include UNICEF and World Food Programme. UNICEF has called for rapid implementation of a short term response to counter malnutrition along with collaborating with the Ministry of Health, National Institute of Nutrition and civil society organizations to create strategies to combat malnutrition at the community level. The World Food Programme has contributed the school meals programme that has reached over 330,000 students already. They have also created smaller programs to both ensure the implementation of these programs and mitigate malnutrition among local communities.
Regarding aid given by allies Russia and China are in tough positions currently. Russia is at war with Ukraine leaving them not capable of providing aid and China is in a tough position economically with the U.S placing them on thin ice. Although many countries have condemned the U.S for their interference in Venezuela.
Creating a framework/guidelines for the distribution and implementation of all future aid would be in favor of the citizens. Forming a solid process to implement moving forward to prevent the issues that have occurred obtaining aid would hopefully create a faithful distribution system. Once the distribution system is reformed it will aid in the overall treatment of malnutrition across the country. To create another layer of trust in the process, annual reports could be taken on the effectiveness and quality of aid(overall) and distribution by Unicef. If not up to standard the country could face legal punishment.
Ensuring children’s nutrition should be a top priority to create a bright future for the country of Venezuela. The population of Venezuela is around 28 million and out of the 28 million people 5.1 million require urgent food assistance. Action must be taken to improve the state of our country for all citizens including children. We are prepared to work with other countries to create a viable long-term solution and a strong foundation for standard aid distribution.

Work Cited
Statista. “Venezuela: Household Poverty Rate 2002-2024.” Statista, 20 Jan. 2026, www.statista.com/statistics/1235189/household-poverty-rate-venezuela/?srsltid=AfmBOoqEJYKIje7O1SkrasFlILzvQBid1mghmpVZ2cyC94M04tAmNHRE.
“Venezuela Datasets.” International Monetary Fund, 2026, www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/VEN.
Technical Difficulties. ve.usembassy.gov/treasury-disrupts-corruption-network-stealing-from-venezuelas-food-distribution-program-clap.
Paredes, Norberto. Has Venezuela Been Ditched by Its Strongest Allies – Russia and China? 13 Dec. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/articles/c075mr3190mo.
Dyvik, Einar H. “Poverty and Inequality in Venezuela – Statistics &Amp; Facts.” Statista, 14 Jan. 2026, www.statista.com/topics/11572/poverty-and-inequality-in-venezuela/?srsltid=AfmBOoqnxdG4eQlYP1H59IUEcSwGJHtsquseBf3dAOcOVzwBKP8j3Mar#topicOverview.
“Venezuela | World Food Programme.” UN World Food Programme (WFP), 27 Mar. 2025, www.wfp.org/countries/venezuela-bolivarian-republic.
“In Venezuela, Prevalence of Malnutrition Among Children Grows as Economic Crisis Deepens.” UNICEF, 26 Jan. 2018, www.unicef.org/press-releases/venezuela-prevalence-malnutrition-among-children-grows-economic-crisis-deepens.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Japan
Delegate Name: Eden Lynch

February 02, 2026
United Nations Children’s Fund
Japan
Combating Malnutrition
The State of Japan recognizes malnutrition as one of the greatest threats to child survival and is committed to combating it. Already, Japan has provided significant financial assistance to many countries around the world in efforts to minimize the issue. The State of Japan has adopted a standpoint that focuses on leaving no one behind, which focuses the nation’s funds towards many regions around the world, especially where malnutrition is most prevalent. Japan is one of the World Food Programme’s top donors and remains committed to its role in this topic.
Japan acknowledges the unattainability of short-term solutions and looks for the committee to focus on finding long-term stability for this problem. Potential solutions supported by Japan include finding more sustainable food options, assisting countries in strengthening their local agriculture capacity, and providing food-based education programs. Japan plans to work with many countries to find a solution that will promote healthy food habits and stability.
As a global leader in combating malnutrition, the State of Japan is committed to finding a feasible solution and is ready to contribute in any way possible. Locally, Japan has made many efforts aimed at combating malnutrition and hopes to use these ideas to work towards a global solution. In Japan, there has been legislation put in place, such as the School Lunch Program Act in 1954 which focuses on providing healthy food options at schools; there have been initiatives enforced, such as Shokuiku which promotes food appreciation and educates children on nutrition, and Japan has hosted educational nutrition-based events such as the 2021 Tokyo Nutrition for Growth, which aimed to end malnutrition and mobilized commitments toward more sustainable food options. Further, Japan is prepared to continue providing financial assistance to countries in need to help in the short term.
Japan highlights the importance of this issue and the effects it clearly has on the global youth. Japan suggests that, through global collaboration, the UN focuses on a long-term solution that can effectively combat malnutrition. The State of Japan knows that by working together, the UN can increase nutritional stability and health all around the world.

Sources
“6 Solutions to End Hunger and Malnutrition: WFP Appeal to G7 Leaders in Hiroshima | World Food Programme.” Www.wfp.org, 17 May 2023, www.wfp.org/stories/6-solutions-end-hunger-and-malnutrition-wfp-appeal-g7-leaders-hiroshima.
Global Child Nutrition Foundation. “Shokuiku – How Japan Leverages School Meals as a “Living Textbook” for Lifelong Healthy Eating · GCNF.” GCNF, 26 June 2024, gcnf.org/how-japan-leverages-school-meals-as-a-living-textbook-for-lifelong-healthy-eating/.
“UN World Food Programme (WFP).” Wfp.org, 21 Feb. 2025, www.wfp.org/news/wfp-welcomes-japans-commitment-action-against-global-hunger.
“White Paper on Development Cooperation 2019 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.” Www.mofa.go.jp, www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/white/2019/html/main/02/02-03-08.html.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: China
Delegate Name: Amina Niang

Delegate: Aminata Niang
Country: The People’s Republic Of China
Committee: UNICEF
Topic: Combating Malnutrition

According to UNICEF, malnutrition contributes to nearly 45% of all deaths among children under 5 . In 2024, approximately 45 million children suffered from wasting, and 148 million experienced stunted growth(UNICEF), showing the scale of this global crisis. Malnutrition is an issue that includes undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and the growing challenge of childhood obesity. China has made progress in improving child nutrition through poverty alleviation, expanded health coverage, and national nutrition programs. However, challenges remain, particularly in rural and less developed areas. Globally, child malnutrition is linked to poverty, conflict, and economic downturn.
Addressing child malnutrition requires immediate action and long-term solutions. In conflict-affected areas, UNICEF-led humanitarian aid includes ready-to-eat therapeutic foods (RUFT) and micronutrient supplementation for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women. At the same time, lasting progress against malnutrition depends on the development and strengthening of national health and food systems to prevent it before it becomes life-threatening. China believes that they’re many ways to combat this crisis. First, expanding nutrition education through schools and community programs to promote balanced diets and healthy feeding practices for infants and children. Second, improving water, sanitation, and hygiene is essential, as unsafe and poor sanitation increases the risk of disease. Third, climate-resilient agriculture, such as drought-resistant crops and better storage to protect food security, is needed as climate change increases the risk of crop failure.
International cooperation is vital in ending malnutrition. Sharing technological advances in agriculture, training healthcare workers and locals in less accessible areas on proper nutritional practices, and helping countries design and manage their own nutrition sustainability programs. International assistance should be in partnership with governments. Respecting national sovereignty and local context improves program effectiveness and ensures that progress continues when support decreases.
In conclusion, the People’s Republic of China is committed to UNICEF’s mission to protect every child’s right to nutrition. Ending child malnutrition requires a balanced strategy that saves lives in emergencies while also building systems to prevent hunger and poor health long-term. By investing in strong healthcare systems, climate-resilient food systems, nutrition education, and international cooperation grounded in mutual respect, the global community can progress towards ending child malnutrition and securing a healthier and equitable future for all children.
World Health Organization: WHO. “Malnutrition.” World Health Organization: WHO, 14 Nov. 2019, https://www.who.int/health-topics/malnutrition.
“Nutrition.” UNICEF, https://www.unicef.org/nutrition. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
Huang, Xin, et al. “Improving Maternal and Child Nutrition in China: An Analysis of Nutrition Policies and Programs Initiated during the 2000-2015 Millennium Development Goals Era and Implications for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.” Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition, vol. 39, no. 1, Dec. 2020, p. 12, https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-020-00221-y.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Algeria
Delegate Name: Luke Sauger

The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria – UNICEF
Combating Malnutrition

Child malnutrition is an issue that affects the entire world. The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria is committed to combating this problem. Stunted growth, wasting, and underweight directly affect Algeria and its African neighbors. The delegation believes that it is of critical importance to fight childhood malnutrition and that all nations of the world should focus on the issue. We call upon the United Nations to work together and come to a solution that is satisfactory for all countries.
Algeria and countries around it have made progress in combating malnutrition, but require more assistance. Both stunting and wasting have decreased significantly since the highs in the early 2000s due to civil war. The prevalence of undernourishment and low birth weight has decreased. While infant mortality has decreased significantly, it is still relatively high at about 20 deaths per 1000 live births. Additionally, Algeria has taken in close to 200,000 Sahrawi refugees, many of whom do not have food security. There are also millions of hungry people across the continent. Africa needs help from the rest of the world if it is to successfully fight malnutrition.
One solution that the Algerian delegation wishes to encourage is increasing the funding of aid organizations. Already, there are many groups working to combat malnutrition, such as the UN World Food Program (WFP) and Action Against Hunger, but many lack the resources to adequately help. By increasing WFP funding, all nations are able to assist a focused effort against malnutrition. Other measures to cut the costs of supporting those in need, such as lowering the cost of food imports, would help save lives. This funding would hopefully come from UN member nations. Algeria hopes that this committee is able to come to a decision on exactly how much funding nations will provide that is acceptable to all.
People across the world need help from the United Nations and its member states’ many resources. The world is divided among many issues, but giving aid to the hungry should not be one of them. Helping those in poverty will build up all people. The nation of Algeria calls upon this committee to ensure that the most vulnerable are protected.

https://globalnutritionreport.org/resources/nutrition-profiles/africa/northern-africa/algeria/
https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/
https://www.wfp.org/countries/algeria

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: India
Delegate Name: Bryan Oh

The Republic of India views child malnutrition as an urgent issue that needs to be addressed, as it continues to limit the health, development, and future opportunities of millions of children worldwide. Malnutrition is a major humanitarian issue and a challenge that affects education and health. As a country with nearly 500 million individuals under 18, India recognizes the necessity to address this issue both nationally and through international cooperation with UNICEF.
In India, malnutrition is mostly due to economic inequality, substandard food quality, and inadequate access to nutritious food. Children in low-income areas are struggling to access nutritious food and even basic health services. Poor sanitation and limited access to clean drinking water have also contributed to poor nutrition. Additionally, climate change has increased agricultural productivity as more frequent droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events have made it difficult for families to have nutritious, stable diets.
The Indian government has made efforts to reduce child malnutrition and has cooperated with UNICEF in implementing several nutrition programs. This includes the Integrated Child Development Services, POSHAN Abhiyaan, and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme focused on improving nutrition for children and mothers. Through its cooperation, India has improved nutrition awareness and increased data collection to better understand regional inequalities.
India believes that addressing malnutrition is extremely important to protecting children’s rights. Every child should be able to have access to quality and sufficient nutrition. To further address this issue, India supports solutions that include nutritional support, such as improving local food systems and increasing access to fortified and therapeutic foods. UNICEF has an important role in supporting these efforts by providing support. With international cooperation, India believes all children can have access to proper nutrition.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Pakistan
Delegate Name: Siddharth Gatla

Malnutrition is one of the driving causes of death, terminal conditions, and pubescent stunting in children around the world. It gradually wastes billions of dollars and hinders the-affected country’s workforce substantially. Generally, malnutrition is encountered within areas that have extreme poverty, war-torn areas, and areas with food insecurities.
Malnutrition plagues Pakistan, with 30-50% of children having it. This large percentage of malnutrition stems from extreme poverty, deteriorating maternal health, inadequate breastfeeding, lack of vaccinations, and poor hygiene in general. The issue of malnutrition augments the mortality rate for children, reduces Pakistan’s work productivity, and gradually lowers Pakistan’s government.
Pakistan has worked with organizations to help minimize the effects of malnutrition, such as the World Food Programme, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Gavi, etc. Pakistan has also passed legislation like Trans Fat Regulatory laws and Maternal Nutrient Strategies, which try to help the diets and nutrients mothers receive.
In terms of resolutions, Pakistan would support a resolution that imposes restrictions on ultra-processed goods, promotes SNF and micronutrient supplementation toward pregnant women and adolescents, and provides incentives to regular check-ups and consumption of ultra-nutritious food.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Vivian Brodie

Committee: UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund)
Topic A: Combating Malnutrition
State: United Kingdom
Delegate: Vivian Brodie
School: Grand Haven High School

Child malnutrition is an issue that affects hundreds of millions of children around the world. This issue stunts and restricts youth from becoming the best version of themselves. The United Kingdom has recently been struggling with combating malnutrition in its youth population. Current data shows that 10% of children living within the United Kingdom are experiencing severe malnutrition (Cowen-Hall). This increase in malnutrition among children has contributed to the overall decline in children’s health across the United Kingdom. This increase in malnutrition is due to high poverty rates and the rise of overly processed and unnutritious foods. The United Kingdom has been implementing programs to make healthy food more accessible and to increase education on a healthy lifestyle. However, due to gradual cuts in aid budgets, the rate of child malnutrition is still increasing. The United Kingdom’s goal is to reduce the rates of child malnutrition around the world.
Child malnutrition, including obesity, undernutrition, and specific nutrient deficiencies, is a global problem. It is estimated that 45% of deaths in children under 5 are caused by undernutrition (Vassilakou). The United Kingdom believes this percentage needs to be reduced quickly. Malnutrition has a variety of causes, including limited availability of food, limited availability of nutrient-dense food, poverty, limited access to health care, and limited access to health education. The UN recently released the “Implementation of the United Nations Decade of Action on Malnutrition”. This resolution recognizes that many countries are behind in progress to eliminate malnutrition in both children and adults, and it recognizes that the rates of malnutrition are rising (General Assembly). This rise in malnutrition is devastating, and the United Kingdom feels that something must be done.
The issue of malnutrition is a broad topic with many angles, but the solutions that the UK suggests are providing education on what a healthy body needs, focusing on providing nutrient-dense food to pregnant women and young children, family farming, and government programs providing food. The United Kingdom feels that for their people, providing education, focusing on pregnant women and small children, and having government programs will be most effective. This is because this plan directly targets those most at risk and connects them to systems that can provide nutrient-dense food. Currently, the UK is shifting from focusing on providing school children with meals to providing for younger children who are more susceptible. “We must shift our attention to the early years and pregnancy. While we have been trying to improve the diets of school-age children, we have neglected the science, which shows that we must act much earlier to deliver the best nutrition and economic returns, and to break inter-generational cycles of inequality” (International). The United Kingdom is also investing in government programs such as the Healthy Start Scheme and the Free Lunch program to help reduce malnutrition caused by poverty.
The United Kingdom feels that to improve child malnutrition, a focus on pregnant women and young children, along with government programs supplying food are most crucial. As mentioned above, the UK has implemented a variety of programs and aid systems to act on these points. The United Kingdom believes that to implement this plan, wealthier countries like the UK will need to fund less wealthy countries. Although it may seem like a burden on the wealthy countries, they are actually benefited by the investment, “Investing in nutrition is smart economics, with every dollar spent generating high returns in terms of healthier populations, better qualified workforce, and stronger earning potential” (Investing). Investing in ending child malnutrition is not only important for improving the lives of so many, but it also boosts the economy and therefore benefits all countries.

Work Cited
Cowan-Hall, Paige. “Addressing Child Malnutrition in the UK: A Growing Crisis – C3 Collaborating for Health.” C3 Collaborating for Health, 8 Oct. 2024, www.c3health.org/addressing-child-malnutrition-in-the-uk-a-growing-crisis/.
“General Assembly Unanimously Adopts Resolution Highlighting Decade of Action on Nutrition | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases.” Un.org, 24 July 2018, press.un.org/en/2018/ga12042.doc.htm.
International Learning Series 1 / Global / 1 UK and Global Malnutrition: The New Normal UK and Global Malnutrition: The New Normal International Learning Series / 1 Published. 2017.
“Investing in Nutrition Is Smart Economics.” World Bank Blogs, 2025, blogs.worldbank.org/en/voices/investing-in-nutrition-is-smart-economics.
Vassilakou, Tonia. “Childhood Malnutrition: Time for Action.” Children, vol. 8, no. 2, 3 Feb. 2021, p. 103, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7913494/, https://doi.org/10.3390/children8020103.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Ethiopia
Delegate Name: Ella Riddle

SIMUN Conference
Committee: United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF)
Topic: Combating Malnutrition
Country: Ethiopia
Delegate: Ella Riddle

Ethiopia has been burdened with the issue of malnutrition for over four decades, more than 10 million people across the country are facing hunger. Despite ongoing and previous efforts to combat this issue, there continues to be persistent high rates. In 2019, over 57% of under-5 deaths were attributed to malnutrition. In addition to this, 4.4 million pregnant and breastfeeding women and children are currently in need of treatment. Moreover, Ethiopia is facing many humanitarian crises that are contributing factors to this issue. Spring and summer rains have decreased by 15-20% since the 1970’s. Consequently, Ethiopia has been hit with many droughts that have led to millions in need of food. Malnutrition is also driven by persistent poverty and economic instability–the poverty rate being 38.64% in 2021– which limits a person’s ability to afford nutrient-dense foods. This issue is crucial to the country’s stability because malnutrition in children causes high mortality, irreversible damage, and long-term setbacks in children.

The government of Ethiopia recognizes that addressing malnutrition in children is important for development. Consequently, actions have been taken to reduce all forms of malnutrition including implementing policies, programs, and interventions that have been put in place. The Seqota Declaration was passed in July of 2015 which is a commitment by the Ethiopian Government to end malnutrition and stunting in children under two years old by 2030. Additionally, in 2018 the Food and Nutrition Policy was passed, aimed at ensuring food security and optimizing nutrition status for all citizens. Despite consistent efforts, malnutrition continues to be an issue due to external environmental factors like drought. Malnutrition has caused significant high mortality rates and many nutritional deficiencies in children.

Currently, the Ethiopian government has put into place many multisectoral and community-based programs. One of these programs includes the Health Sector Transformation Plan II(HSTP–II), which aims to achieve health coverage for all citizens through different services. However, the country of Ethiopia is not able to build these programs on their own. At the center of Ethiopia’s policies, there is a heavy reliance on international help and funding. Historically, 50-60 percent of the nation’s budget is from foreign aid. Many of these donors are the United States, European Union, World Bank, and United Nations agencies.

To continue to combat malnutrition, Ethiopia needs additional international help. One possible solution to this problem would be partnering with UNICEF to build climate-smart agriculture systems. Creating a hydroponic system would allow families to grow food with little to no soil, making many crops resistant to droughts. Partnering with United Nation agencies would allow the ability to create effective solutions to limit wasting and create mobile health groups that would target rural areas. Ultimately, international partnerships are crucial to the development and future of children in Ethiopia.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Philippines
Delegate Name: Abigail Hough

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Philippines
The Philippines is an archipelago country of Southeast Asia. It’s government structure is heavily modeled on the United States system and it is a representative democracy with a democratic and republican state. Political life is heavily influenced by kinship networks, patronage, and local political families, with approximately 70% of the House of Representatives being controlled by such dynasties. The political scene features significant challenges including the impact of the drug war on law enforcement, high-level corruption, and the influence of the military in political affairs.
The Philippines pursues an independent foreign policy, balancing a strong, renewed security alliance with the US against critical economic ties with China. It stands and seeks to be “a friend to all, enemy to none”, focusing on national interests, sovereignty, and regional stability rather than siding with major powers. It prioritizes securing economic investments, particularly for infrastructure development, while managing trade relations.
The Philippines is one of the 51 founding members of the United Nations and a strong supporter of multilateralism. UN activities in the Philippines align with human rights, gender equality commitments, and the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). Activities are executed because there are 29 UN entities that operate in the Philippines, which are coordinated by the UNCT.
B. Digital Equity for Children
As the use for technology becomes increasingly relevant and necessary in fields such as education, communication, and access to information, it is noticeable that the gap of equity between children globally significantly widened. This widening became significant after the COVID-19 pandemic when due to the closings of schools and other educational facilities, millions of children fell behind and lacked access to reliable internet, devices, and digital literacy skills. UNICEF estimates that ⅔ of children that are of school-age globally do not have access to internet at home.
Providing infrastructure is a basic foundation for digital equity, but meaningful access can still be limited because many children who gain internet access still face barriers related to cost, digital literacy, language and more. UNICEF along with the London School of Economics and Political Science, examined 126 selected digital inclusion policies from five regions and 17 countries and assessed how much they referred to children and inequalities, but the majority of the digital inclusion policies didn’t explicitly mention children or the inequalities that they face. But, the findings helped recognize requirements for more progressive policies. As AI systems and disruptive technology grows and affects society, it becomes more important for policies to be based on coordination across governments and nations.
The Philippines is actively growing digital technology in order to bridge the gap between education across its many islands. Being able to use the internet to connect at home is extremely important when it comes to extending learning opportunities, but it is difficult to implement this at a larger scale because of cost barriers. A way to combat this would be to expand broadband access at a more affordable cost for undeveloped states. For example, access to AT&T provides $30 or less per month for households that participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) or other monetary assistance programs. Bringing these providers to countries that are trying to bridge the digital divide, such as the Philippines, would be beneficial. With approved funding for the expansion of broadband, countries could work to develop to improve digital equity globally.
C. Combating Malnutrition
With major goals in mind, UNICEF works to ensure that every child can grow up to thrive and reach their full potential in life. A major obstacle to reaching this goal is the fact that malnutrition holds to be one of the greatest threats to the survival of children around the world. Malnutrition takes many forms, some of which include undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity, and many of these are developed and often interlinked with climate change, inadequate access to healthcare, education, and clean drinking water. These conditions are most common in places of poverty and in regions of war and displacement.
While short-term interventions take care of emergencies in cases of saving lives that are threatened due to malnutrition, long-term progression is much more vital. Long-term progress relies on addressing the deeper issue of the inequities that prevent families from providing nutrition for children. It requires balancing humanitarianism and sustainability in order to strengthen the fight against malnutrition and figure out how the underlying conditions of hunger continue to persist.
In the Philippines, undernutrition, caused by mainly poverty, is an unwavering issue and affects one in three children under five years old from stunted growth. Because of this massive persistence in the problem, the Philippine economy could face staggering losses. After seeing the threats that the country faces, the country formed The Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP). This program, which is funded by the World Bank, delivers a cohesive package of nutrient-specific interventions for pregnant women, focuses on equity in order to elevate the nation’s nutritional status. There are ways in which the determinants of nutrition can be addressed through a multisectoral approach. Maternal and child health programs provide the best opportunities and can implement nutrition sensitive programs that could improve dietary quality, access to clean water and sanitation, and ensures that the most vulnerable populations are being served and treated.

Works Cited
“Advancing Digital Equality for Children | Innocenti Global Office of Research and Foresight.” Www.unicef.org, www.unicef.org/innocenti/projects/advancing-digital-equality-children.
Britannica. “Philippines – the Philippines since C. 1990 | Britannica.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-Philippines-since-c-1990.
Group, World Bank. “More than 20 Million Filipinos to Benefit from Improved Broadband Internet Connectivity.” World Bank, World Bank Group, 10 Oct. 2024, www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2024/10/10/more-than-20-million-filipinos-to-benefit-from-improved-broadband-internet-connectivity.
Kurtas, Susan. “Research Guides: UN General Assembly Documentation: Resolutions & Decisions.” Research.un.org, research.un.org/en/docs/ga/resolutions.
“Philippines | World Bank Group.” Worldbank.org, 2025, www.worldbank.org/ext/en/country/philippines.
Poole, Gregory. “UNICEF Digital Equity – GLICA.org.” Glica.org, 6 Nov. 2025, glica.org/simun/committees/unicef-digital-equity/. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
“Transforming Nutrition in the Philippines.” Unicef.org, 2024, www.unicef.org/philippines/stories/transforming-nutrition-philippines.
“Understanding Digital Inclusion.” Michigan.gov, 2020, www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/mihi/michigan-digital-inclusion-resources/understanding-digital-inclusion. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
United Nations Philippines. “The United Nations in the Philippines | United Nations in Philippines.” Philippines.un.org, 2024, philippines.un.org/en/about/about-the-un.
World Bank Group. “Undernutrition in the Philippines: Scale, Scope, and Opportunities for Nutrition Policy and Programming.” World Bank, 15 June 2021, www.worldbank.org/en/country/philippines/publication/-key-findings-undernutrition-in-the-philippines.
“Young People Help Draw up UN Digital Protection Recommendations.” UN News, 24 Mar. 2021, news.un.org/en/story/2021/03/1088182.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Brazil
Delegate Name: Ethan Ortman

The issue of malnutrition is something that the country of Brazil has been taking great care into, with great effect. While we have once struggled with malnutrition and hunger, with 3.9% of our population struggling with malnutrition in 2022, as of 2025 we have been taken off the FAO hunger map (van Hal) and are currently trying to help other nations in our continent and around the world. We want to ensure more links with countries to also help us with any more hanging threads of hunger and malnutrition for the future generation to combat these issues.

We know that our still wonderful country isn’t the most adept in funds, despite being in the Upper-Middle class of nations (World Bank Group). It is crucial that we get the help of other countries, or at the very least our neighboring nations, for funding in a resolution that stops this hunger crisis once and for all.

Brazil has already made big leaps in stopping malnutrition and hunger in our youth. This includes making school lunches more accessible, making more local purchases from farmers and grocers, equalizing nutrition in all meals, reducing food loss and waste, and to secure all of our foods from any violent climates. Due to all of these policies we have made, we have successfully been taken off the FAO’s world hunger map, and we have lifted almost 40 million civilians out of food insecurity, with only 8.2% stating they have faced hunger as of 2024 (van Hal). National coordination is essential to make sure none of these stipulations falter in the long run.
Our overall stance on this issue is that it is a critical issue that we have dedicated plenty of our resources into to make sure the children of our country live long and healthy lives, and we wish that our policies are included in future resolutions to solve this problem for as long as it lasts.

Works Cited (Topic A)
Albuquerque, Maria Paula de, et al. “Child undernutrition in Brazil: the wound that never healed.” ScienceDirect, Jornal de Pediatria, 8 11 2023, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021755723001353. Accessed 4 2 2026.
“The Alimenta Cidades (Feeding Cities) Strategy in Brazil: catalysing policy alignment from the municipal level.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Agrifood Systems, 2025, https://www.fao.org/food-systems/news/news-detail/the-alimenta-cidades-(feeding-cities)-strategy-in-brazil–catalysing-policy-alignment-from-the-municipal-level/en. Accessed 4 2 2026.
van Hal, Jolanda. “Nutrition security gains: UN confirms Brazil is off the FAO Hunger Map.” Nutrition Insight, 28 July 2025, https://www.nutritioninsight.com/news/un-fao-hunger-map-brazil-malnutrition-food-security.html. Accessed 4 February 2026.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Sudan
Delegate Name: Helena Zweig

Representing: Sudan

Distinguished Delegates and Honorable Chair,
Hunger. Famine. Malnourishment.
It’s known by many names, but none of them is any less deadly than the other.
Today, we begin with the topic of combatting malnutrition in children on a global scale. Around the world, 45 million children under the age of five suffer from a critical lack of nutritious food [1-CI]. While the delegation of Sudan would like to formally recognize this international crisis, we deny the existence of such a famine within our borders and formally withhold support as our resources are engaged elsewhere in our current civil war, which rages on between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. If such sources were to attempt to assist in any perceived emergency, it would be allowed to cross our borders.

While Sudan is facing an onslaught of violence, it continues to deny the necessity of receiving aid in favor of defense. In the past, Sudan has supported efforts of the United Nations to move supplies across state lines, but several reports have confirmed that the government has intercepted and denied such aid from reaching the Darfur region of Sudan [4-CSIS]. Often, administrative red tape and conflicting ideologies have led to slow action and a high mortality rate among the country’s citizens.

Zooming out to a more global scale, UNICEF distributes roughly “75 to 80 percent of the world’s supply of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF)”, which supports communities within the thrash of hunger [2-UNICEF]. Its policies are as wide reaching as possible, but combatting hunger in the countries worst affected should be a top priority for the United Nations. Countries with the highest death rates per 100,000 people due to malnutrition include Somalia (~42 persons), Mali (~35 persons), Eritrea (~26 persons) and Djibouti (~25 persons) [3-WHO]. These countries must be seen as nation-states lacking support who are in dire need of critical assistance.

As the representative of one of the Northeast African Countries, it is my burden and our collective responsibility to commit to the eradication of malnutrition that pose a serious ethical risk. However, the burden should be taken upon larger countries who can contribute to the overarching cause.

WORKS CITED:
Children International. “World Poverty Facts | Children International | Global Hunger Statistics.” Children International, 2019, www.children.org/global-poverty/global-poverty-facts/facts-about-world-poverty-and-hunger.
Ferguson, Sarah, and Tong Su. “How UNICEF Fights Malnutrition in Yemen | UNICEF USA.” Www.unicefusa.org, 22 Mar. 2024, www.unicefusa.org/stories/how-unicef-fights-malnutrition-yemen.
Swanson, Zane, et al. “Conflict, Hunger, and Famine in Sudan.” Csis.org, 11 Sept. 2024, www.csis.org/analysis/conflict-hunger-and-famine-sudan.
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. “MALNUTRITION DEATH RATE by COUNTRY.” World Life Expectancy, 2017, www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-death/malnutrition/by-country/.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: South Africa
Delegate Name: Srihan Aravabhumi

Topic: Combatting Malnutrition
Country: South Africa
Delegate: Srihan Aravabhumi
Farmington High School

United Nations Children’s Fund

228.5 million children – -that is the 2025 estimate of children under 5 worldwide affected by malnutrition in one of three ways (stunting, wasting or overweight). South African children are not exceptions. The region of Southern Africa has a high prevalence of both stunting and overweight malnutrition, and Africa as a whole is the only region where stunting has increased in prevalence.

The delegation of South Africa has recognized that malnutrition in the country has several causes yet there is one that is the most prominent. That cause is socioeconomic inequality.

63.5% of South African households are affected by food insecurity, according to the 2024 National Food and Nutrition Security Survey report. This certainly isn’t caused by a lack of food, as over 243,000 tons of edible food annually end up in landfills, but rather a lack of access for underserved populations. Areas with better access to education, employment and social grants are substantially more food secure than those who aren’t. To stop malnutrition, the main focus should be on bringing equality in the distribution of food; this can be done through realizing plans for food banks and through developing underserved areas.

The South African government has already engaged in efforts against child malnutrition, in conjunction with UNICEF. The Department of Basic Education worked with UNICEF to develop the Blueprint for Improving the South African School Food Environment. This blueprint primarily provides guidance about what healthy consumption actually means; information was included about eating habits, drinking water, physical activity and more. The blueprint was important for teaching children and all other educational stakeholders on how to move towards a healthier lifestyle. The UNICEF then assisted with the operationalization of the blueprint across schools, with an 18 month pilot study done in 6 public schools in the iLembe district. Strategies from the blueprint were turned into actual school-based interventions, which were then implemented and evaluated. It is very plausible that a similar program can be implemented internationally, and South Africa is open to collaborating at the global level for development.

These kinds of initiatives that combat malnutrition are key in maintaining and improving the rights of children in all kinds of global contexts. When implementing these strategies, along with malnutrition, we are simultaneously fighting inequality and bridging the informational gap between social classes. Giving children foundational information on what actually counts as proper nutrition transforms what may have used to be a privilege into a guaranteed right. Pairing these educational initiatives with improved food distribution infrastructure can come close to eradicating malnutrition, while also uniting the social classes of the world.

Malnutrition isn’t a one-sided problem, it is a result of systematic failure, and it is our duty as members of the United Nations to work together in order to minimize it worldwide.

Works Cited
South African Human Rights Commission. “Media Statement: SAHRC notes alarming levels of food insecurity in South Africa.” South African Human Rights Commission, 14 October 2024, https://www.sahrc.org.za/index.php/sahrc-media/news-2/item/4149-media-statement-sahrc-notes-alarming-levels-of-food-insecurity-in-south-africa?utm_source=chatgpt.com. Accessed 15 February 2026.
United Nations Children’s Fund. “Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates (JME) 2025 – UNICEF DATA.” UNICEF Data, 21 July 2025, https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme/. Accessed 15 February 2026.
United Nations Children’s Fund. “Operationalization of the scale-up implementation plan for Blueprint for Improving the School Food Environment.” unicef.org, 2025, https://www.unicef.org/southafrica/media/11906/file. Accessed 15 February 2026.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Lebanon
Delegate Name: Niharika Prabhu

POSITION PAPER
Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Lebanon
Committee: UNICEF
Delegation: Lebanon
Delegate Name: Niha Prabhu

The Republic of Lebanon has recognized child malnutrition as a major humanitarian and development issue that threatens children’s well being, ability to learn, and health over the long term. Malnutrition is a situation that includes the above examples and yet goes far beyond just hunger, it is simply not eating enough. The main presentation of malnutrition may be a lack of food supply and energy that results in deficient weight and difficulties in growth. The United Nations Children’s Fund divulges that food insecurity among the most vulnerable has worsened due to the unstable economy which is a result of the conflict. Lebanon reaffirms that combating child malnutrition is not only a matter of health but also a prerequisite for a durable peace and national reconciliation.

Food insecurity and child malnutrition have worsened drastically due to Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis, which is considered to be one of the worst in modern history. Since 2019, families’ purchasing power has been significantly reduced mainly due to the currency devaluation, high inflation, and unemployment rise. UNICEF Lebanon reports that more households are experiencing situations where their children have to skip meals or go to bed hungry, as a result of their financial hardships. Among the groups most adversely affected have been the internally displaced communities and local residents under the poverty level. Being one of the top countries hosting refugees per capita in the world, especially from neighbouring Syria, Lebanon along with its own infrastructure, food systems, and resources is being overtaxed. Child stunting, anemia, and micronutrient deficiencies have all increased as a result of this Exacerbated crisis. At the same time, fresh, nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy and protein sources have become less affordable, forcing many families to turn to less expensive, high calorie, low nutrient foods. This change raises the risk of childhood obesity and chronic non-communicable diseases in addition to undernutrition. Lebanon faces long-term developmental setbacks and generations of children who will suffer irreversible Health consequences if immediate action is not taken.

Despite the challenges, Lebanon has made great progress in combating malnutrition through collaboration with international organizations. In order to increase nutrition screen programs, therapeutic feeding initiatives, and financial aid programs for families in need, the Ministry of Public Health has partnered with UNICEF and the World Food Programme. To guarantee that kids eat at least one wholesome meal every day, especially in public schools, school feeding programs have been established and expanded. Lebanon continues to work with international humanitarian organizations to improve food security monitoring and response systems as part of its commitment to accomplishing the sustainable development Goals, especially Goal: Zero Hunger.
The Lebanon delegation suggests a thorough, ulti-pronged strategy to fight malnutrition. First, Lebanon demands more international financing and aid for nations dealing with a confluence of refugee and economic crises. Micronutrient supplementation, maternal nutrition programs, and school feeding programs must all receive steady funding from sustainable sources. Second, in order to lessen dependency on imports and increase resilience, Lebanon promotes the development of local food systems through support for domestic food production and investments in small-scale agriculture. Third, in order to encourage balanced diets and wise food choices, the delegation stresses the significance of nutrition education initiatives aimed at parents, guardians, and young people. Last but not least, Lebanon calls on UNICEF and member nations to improve data gathering and early warning systems in order to spot and address malnutrition trends before they become serious emergencies.

The international community can protect vulnerable children and help countries like Lebanon rebuild stronger, healthier societies by combining humanitarian relief with structural economic support and sustainable food policies. Lebanon is adamant that fighting malnutrition requires a global effort and the Republic of Lebanon is committed to working cooperatively with UNICEF to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive free from malnutrition.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Peru
Delegate Name: Shriram Kura

United Nations Children’s Fund
Combating Malnutrition
Peru
Shriram Kura
Farmington High School

The Peruvian Delegation claims that because malnutrition impacts children’s development and health, it is a pressing global issue. Due to nutrient deficiencies or overeating, millions of children worldwide still suffer from malnutrition and need adequate energy and nutrient-rich diets. UNICEF further notes that the rising prevalence of overweight and obese children, along with undernutrition, which includes stunting and wasting, continue to be significant public health issues. Over the past 20 years, the Peruvian government has made significant strides in reducing chronic malnutrition in children. however, malnutrition problems persist in the rural Andes and Amazon regions.
The Peruvian Delegation understands the importance of having international frameworks such as World Food Programme programs and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. Two examples of the strong policy responses that have been developed at the national level to address malnutrition include the “Programa Articulado Nutricional” and the use of conditional cash transfer programs, which are aimed at improving maternal and child health and poverty. In addressing malnutrition and the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity, Peru has also focused on school nutrition programs, breastfeeding support, early childhood interventions, and micronutrient supplements. These efforts demonstrate Peru’s commitment to a multi-sectoral approach that brings together agricultural development, health, education, and sanitation..
The pledge to promote sustainable and equitable nutrition solutions is reaffirmed by the Peruvian Delegation. Peru argues that there is a need to strengthen community-based programs of nutrition education that can empower families with information on the benefits of the right food intake. Peru also advocates for more investments in the country’s agricultural sector that can help mitigate the effects of climate change impacts. This can also help the country reduce its reliance on imported food products. Peru also advocates for more collaboration between the international community and UNICEF in the data collection process so that the vulnerable can be assisted accordingly. Peru believes that the international community can help create a healthy generation of the future by meeting the current nutritional challenges head on.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Malaysia
Delegate Name: Kailani Gardner

United Nations Children’s Fund
Combating Malnutrition
Malaysia
Kailani Gardner
City High Middle

The Delegation of Malaysia acknowledges that malnutrition stands as a critical global concern, the addressing of which is essential to cultivate a well-developed and prosperous future generation. Malnutrition is defined as a lack of proper nutrition, something often caused by not eating the right food or not eating enough nutritious foods. Malnutrition remains one of the most pressing threats to child development worldwide, encompassing undernutrition, stunting, wasting, and the rising prevalence of childhood obesity. Despite past efforts to combat this issue, UNICEF found that one-third of children under age 5 are malnourished, with two-thirds at risk of malnutrition due to poor diets. These conditions not only threaten a child’s survival but also create neurocognitive damage, hinder long-term economic productivity, and affect immune system response. The Delegation of Malaysia recognizes the roles that broken food systems, socioeconomic determinants, education, and poverty play in this issue, underscoring the importance of a comprehensive global effort that prioritizes equity and sustainable progress.

Malaysia recognizes the positive impacts of past efforts, such as the Ready to Use Food Program (RUTF), UN Sustainable Development Goal 2, the World Food Programme, and UNICEF’s own evaluations throughout the years. Moreover, the nation of Malaysia has executed various measures to combat malnutrition, most notably the National Plan of Action for Nutrition of Malaysia. The plan combats the double burden of malnutrition, creating dietary promotion, public education, and food security programs. The delegation of Malaysia notes UNICEF’s identification of poverty, food deserts, climate shocks, and poor education as large causes for malnutrition. Addressing this critical issue, therefore, requires a targeted, educated approach that accounts for socioeconomic and geographic disparities while strengthening national food systems and food equity for all.

The delegation of Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to national and international efforts that aim to address and combat the issue of malnutrition through informed programs and reforms that provide impactful, sustainable solutions. The delegation of Malaysia suggests the expansion of community education initiatives on nutrition to address problems of malnutrition surrounding nonnutritive diets. Second, Malaysia emphasizes the importance of expanding or creating programs that create increased access to affordable, nutritious food in underserved areas. Furthermore, Malaysia highly suggests investment in sustainable local food systems to mitigate the impacts of food insecurity, climate shocks, and food deserts. Through coordinated global initiatives that address immediate needs and create sustainable solutions that address the root causes of malnutrition, Malaysia believes the UN can ensure malnutrition is combatted, and it can create a healthier, more equitable future for all.

Work Cited
Children, Food and Nutrition: State of the World’s Children 2019 | Unicef Malaysia, www.unicef.org/malaysia/children-food-and-nutrition-state-worlds-children-2019. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
De Sanctis, Vincenzo, et al. “Early and Long-Term Consequences of Nutritional Stunting: From Childhood to Adulthood.” Acta Bio-Medica : Atenei Parmensis, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 16 Feb. 2021, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7975963/.
FAO, faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/mal158472.pdf. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
“Malaysia.” Global Nutrition Report | Country Nutrition Profiles – Global Nutrition Report, globalnutritionreport.org/resources/nutrition-profiles/asia/south-eastern-asia/malaysia/. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
“Oxford Languages and Google – English: Oxford Languages.” Oxford Languages and Google – English | Oxford Languages, languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Republic of Korea
Delegate Name: Fiona Rodrigues

Country: Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Committee: UNICEF
Topic: Combating Malnutrition
Name: Fiona Rodrigues
School: City High Middle School

The South Korea UNICEF organization needs to combat malnutrition through this project.

The document presents a Model UN position paper which represents South Korea in UNICEF to fight against malnutrition. The conference regulations allow you to adjust the length of your text through shortening or modifying its current content.

Malnutrition among children develops into a global threat which endangers the survival and development of millions of children who face both undernutrition and micronutrient shortcomings and increasing childhood obesity. The Republic of Korea identifies its past battle with severe child malnutrition as successfully resolved yet multiple low and middle income nations and their at risk communities in the Korean Peninsula continue to deal with both immediate and ongoing food shortage problems. As a high income donor state and former aid recipient South Korea believes UNICEF needs to implement two separate strategies which involve both preventing and treating undernutrition in the most affected countries and tackling new types of malnutrition that include childhood obesity.

The South Korean government demonstrates through its educational program that continuous funding for school meals and primary health services and poverty elimination programs can effectively decrease stunting and wasting among children. Korean children who are under five years old currently exhibit stunting rates of 2.5% and wasting rates of 1.2% which represent some of the lowest stunting and wasting rates found across Asian countries. To promote healthy eating habits South Korea implemented the Special Act on the Safety Management of Children’s Dietary Life which prohibits unhealthy food marketing to children and establishes dietary requirements for food sold at schools and their surrounding areas. School based nutrition education programs with child development programs execute their educational programs through schools.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Iran
Delegate Name: Natalie Kingera

Iran
Committee: UNICEF

Combating Malnutrition

The discussion on child malnutrition is one important and crucial to the survival of next generations to come. Around the world, malnutrition remains one of the greatest threats to children and is responsible for around half the deaths under age 5. Many children are not getting the nutrition they need to grow up as a normal child. In Iran, effects like war and displacement are huge factors that play into the countries hunger crisis. Many other countries can relate to this, such as Sudan, Gaza, Mali, and Haiti. As the UN, it is our job to ensure that even with these factors, mothers and children are getting the resources they need to survive.
In Iran, malnutrition accounts for 35% of the deaths within the country. The largest cause for malnutrition is the inflation Iran has seen within our economy. The prices for protein, meat, fruits, and vegetables have continued to fluctuate. This creates a serious problem for impoverished families, as they are unable to buy the things they need to be healthy citizens. Malnutrition has also become a serious problem within schools. In August 2025, children started going back to school. Children that lived in rural parts of Iran had further walks that their classmates, which became a large problem. These kids would walk for long periods of time on an empty stomach, causing them to collapse. If by chance these kids would make it to school, empty stomachs made them unable to focus and learn throughout their day. Schools have seen many children suffering from stomach aches, abdominal pains, and general overall weakness. Along with this, between 50%-70% of Iran’s population has suffered with vitamin D deficiency, causing weakened immune systems and bone diseases. This information along with malnutrition overall poorly effects Iran’s health. Currently, the UNICEF is supporting the Iranian government to spread awareness about ways to combat this issue. Iran and the UNICEF are raising universal nutritional standards by implementing programs in primary healthcare. Doctors are required to collect data on nutritional statuses of mothers and children. Our government is currently working on creating healthy feeding practices for children under the age of 2 under nutritional surveillance and trying to target vulnerable groups within the country that need the most help. There are also current national dietary guidelines for schools within the works.
With all this information, the delegation of Iran understands the importance of this issue and that action must be taken by all countries to support the issue. This is why the delegation proposes that we must work together to provide access to nourishing foods around the world. A way this can happen is if we create the HWMF (Helping Worldly Malnourished Fund). This fund can be a branch from the UNICEF, where countries have access to helping fellow countries in need. Whether a country has resources to be able to help directly with the fund, or they have money to donate to support, this fund can make a real difference in fixing this issue. Through the fund, countries can support a country they choose, or they can pour in globally to a random country in need. Countries that are in need will sign themselves up for help, and their problems will be displayed on the HWMF website. The website with be accessible to anyone, where hopefully awareness about this issue will continue to spread.

MLA Citation

“Child Nutrition UNICEF Iran.” UNICEF, www.unicef.org/iran/en/child-nutrition#:~:text=The%20actions%20taken,The%20partners%20engaged. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

Mohades, Esmaeil. “Malnutrition Responsible for About 35% of Deaths in Iran.” Iran Focus, 21 Oct. 2025, iranfocus.com/uncategorized/55746-malnutrition-responsible-for-about-35-of-deaths-in-iran/#:~:text=By%20Esmaeil%20Mohades,Toughest%20Conditions%20Of%20Food%20Security’. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.

SIMUN Background Guide

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Belarus
Delegate Name: Asher Sternberg

Children across the world face malnutrition, malnutrition in children is a violation of children’s rights. Eating right is good for children’s development and growth, especially in early childhood, one of the most valuable times in child development. There are many ways malnutrition takes place whether it is undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, or overweight/ obesity. Some of the historical facts and statistics of malnutrition in children are, in south asia there are 56 million kids who are malnourished and in sub-saharan Africa there are 62 million children who are malnourished. In 2024, 6.6% of children under five suffered from wasting and 1.9 suffered from severe wasting, that amounts to about 43 million and 12 million. Obesity and being overweight is an issue in all areas of the world, there are about 35.5 million malnutrition cases of overweight and obese children across the world. There have been some resolutions that have been passed on malnutrition for example the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016–2025) World Health Organization, it was a resolution eliminating malnutrition. In Belarus the amount of babies who died before five decreased from 15000 in 1990 to 2500 in 2023. Belarus has good food security, ranked 23 in the world. Belarus is exporting agricultural products and machines to other countries to help end horrors of malnutrition. Around 20% of fertilizers come from Belarus. Belarus is extremely food self-sufficient at around 96%. The Republic of Belarus would like to see cheaper options for fertilizers and agricultural appliances for the countries that might not be able to afford a mass amount of appliances. Another thing The Republic of Belarus wants to see is educating the people about malnutrition. Belarus also has an idea for a way we could do it called “AC/DC” agricultural decisions of countries, in the idea each country could decide how they would inform their citizens about malnutrition. Over all the Republic of Belarus wants to see the end of malnutrition. And a way to inform people about it.
RiverviewDelegates. “UNICEF Malnutrition – GLICA.org.” Glica.org, 6 Nov. 2025, glica.org/simun/committees/unicef-malnutrition/. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.

UNICEF. “Malnutrition in Children – UNICEF Data.” UNICEF, May 2023, data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ .

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Belarus
Delegate Name: Asher Sternberg

Children across the world face malnutrition, malnutrition in children is a violation of children’s rights. Eating right is good for children’s development and growth, especially in early childhood, one of the most valuable times in child development. There are many ways malnutrition takes place whether it is undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, or overweight/ obesity. Some of the historical facts and statistics of malnutrition in children are, in south asia there are 56 million kids who are malnourished and in sub-saharan Africa there are 62 million children who are malnourished. In 2024, 6.6% of children under five suffered from wasting and 1.9 suffered from severe wasting, that amounts to about 43 million and 12 million. Obesity and being overweight is an issue in all areas of the world, there are about 35.5 million malnutrition cases of overweight and obese children across the world. There have been some resolutions that have been passed on malnutrition for example the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016–2025) World Health Organization, it was a resolution eliminating malnutrition. In Belarus the amount of babies who died before five decreased from 15000 in 1990 to 2500 in 2023. Belarus has good food security, ranked 23 in the world. Belarus is exporting agricultural products and machines to other countries to help end horrors of malnutrition. Around 20% of fertilizers come from Belarus. Belarus is extremely food self-sufficient at around 96%. The Republic of Belarus would like to see cheaper options for fertilizers and agricultural appliances for the countries that might not be able to afford a mass amount of appliances. Another thing The Republic of Belarus wants to see is educating the people about malnutrition. Belarus also has an idea for a way we could do it called “AC/DC” agricultural decisions of countries, in the idea each country could decide how they would inform their citizens about malnutrition. Over all the Republic of Belarus wants to see the end of malnutrition. And a way to inform people about it.
RiverviewDelegates. “UNICEF Malnutrition – GLICA.org.” Glica.org, 6 Nov. 2025, glica.org/simun/committees/unicef-malnutrition/. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.

UNICEF. “Malnutrition in Children – UNICEF Data.” UNICEF, May 2023, data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/ .

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Greece
Delegate Name: Aurel Chatterjee

Position Paper – 2026 Combating Malnutrition

Committee: UNICEF
Agenda: Combating Malnutrition
Delegation: Greece
Aurel Chatterjee
Farmington High School

Malnutrition–coming in a wide variety of issues, ranging from undernutrition to overweight and obesity–lead to problems that have widespread cumulative repercussions on society if not dealt with. Deficiencies in essential nutrient classes as well as the effects of a sedentary lifestyle can lead to impaired mental and physical implication that the nation of Greece does not take lightly. Based on the data of the 2024 Household Income and Living Conditions Survey, the population at risk of poverty/social exclusion amounts to 26.9% of Greece’s population–increased by 0.8% since 2023. Keeping the ever-growing number of vulnerable families that are at risk of food insecurity and poor diet in mind, Greece is in full agreement with the Sustainable Development Goals put forth by the United Nations that focus on ending hunger and all forms of malnutrition while achieving food security and improved nutrition.

Over the past several years, Greece has put into action a series of systematic goals to address problems occurring related to food insecurity and malnutrition–namely, the quality of diet and expanded knowledge related to making smart dietary decisions.
According to research from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Greece has one of the highest childhood obesity rates in Europe. Greece recognizes the importance of addressing malnutrition and has therefore implemented a ‘National Recovery and Resilience Plan,’ facilitated by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with UNICEF, aiming to reduce obesity rates among children aged 2–14 by over 10%. Additionally, the nation of Greece has responded in kind to the threat of food insecurity for low-income individuals that has plagued the world, especially in nations experiencing economic inequality. Low-income families are at a significantly increased risk of food insecurity due to rising prices for nutritious, fulfilling food.

In particular, Greece is proud to , reaffirming its belief that everyone should have access to safe, sufficient and nutritious food, consistent with the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger (HRC/52/L.24). By working to continue using the Universal Declaration on the Eradication of Hunger and Malnutrition as a guide, Greece aims to protect the well-being of each and every one of its citizens, and the promotion and protection of all human rights across the globe. The delegation of Greece invites other nations to collaborate on future reforms concerning the expansion of public education services regarding making healthy consumption choices as well working with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child to address future issues.

Works Cited:
https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/4092732?ln=en
https://www.statistics.gr/documents/20181/042d41d4-d995-48e4-5bf3-50d7d320acef#:~:text=Based%20on%20the%20data%20of,26.1%25)%20(Graph%201).
https://extranet.who.int/countryplanningcycles/sites/default/files/public_file_rep/GRC_Greece_National-Action-Plan-for-Public-Health_%202021-2025.pdf
https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals/zero-hunger

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Ukraine
Delegate Name: Thomson Manoj

Delegation of Ukraine
Farmington High School
Thomson Manoj

Ukraine sees child malnutrition as a huge problem, and the war since 2022 has made
everything worse. Because of war, a lot of homes, farms, hospitals, and water systems
are damage, and millions had to evacuate where they resided, which makes it more
difficult for them to access enough healthy food, clean water, and basic healthcare for
children. This affects children in the frontlines and freshly liberated areas the most,
along with kids in institutions, with disabilities, and kids part of families that suddenly fell
into poverty.
Ukraine works with UNICEF and other partners to keep children as safe and healthy as
possible in these situations. UNICEF has teams in many regions that support
healthcare, immunization, nutrition, education, safe water, mental health support, and
monetary assistance for affected families. Teams also help repair damages schools and
water systems so affected communities can get back on their feet. Ukraine believes
fighting malnutrition is not charity but a basic human right, so that every child, no matter
where they live or who they are, should be able to have access to nutritious food, clean
water, healthcare, and basic health info, in line with the Conventions on the Rights of
the Child and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ukraine is asking UNICEF and other countries to focus more on nutrition when they
respond to conflicts such as this one. In the short term, Ukraine asks for more screening
and treatment for severely malnourished children, stronger water and sanitation
systems, humanitarian monetary support to help families buy necessities, and school
meal programs if possible. In the long term, Ukraine wants support to rebuild health and
water systems, keep investing in resilient food systems and farmers, and expand child-
focused social protection and cash programs so families can protect their children from
future shocks and crises. The goal is not to just keep children alive during the war, but
to help them thrive by giving them a real chance to grow, learn, and live out their lives
afterward.

Works Cited (MLA)
“Armenia to Ukraine: UNICEF Maps Out Humanitarian Action for Children in
2024.” UNICEF USA, 17 Dec. 2023, www.unicefusa.org/stories/armenia-ukraine-unicef-
maps-out-humanitarian-action-children-2024.

“UNICEF Won’t Stop Helping Children in Ukraine: Full-Scale War Hits 2-Year
Mark.” UNICEF USA, 8 May 2025, www.unicefusa.org/stories/unicef-wont-stop-helping-
children-ukraine-full-scale-war-hits-2-year-mark.
War in Ukraine: Over 700 Days of Loss and Unyielding Resilience. UNICEF, Feb.
2024, www.unicef.dk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ukraine-war_over-700-days-of-loss-
and-unyielding-resilience_final-draft_online.pdf. ​

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Vietnam
Delegate Name: Zainab Ali

POSITION PAPER
COMMITTEE: UNICEF
AGENDA: Combatting Malnutrition
DELEGATION: Vietnam

Malnutrition—referring to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients—is a violation of children’s rights. According to the State of the World’s Children 2019: Children, Food and Nutrition report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), one in three children under five is not properly growing due to malnutrition. The triple burden of malnutrition—undernutrition, hidden hunger, and overweight—threatens the survival, growth, and development of children, as well as economies and nations. This not only puts the populace’s health at stake but also nations’ stances on a global scale- this dilemma acting as both a driver and consequence of instability, poverty, and hindered development. If not provided a resolution sooner, the health and productivity of societies will significantly diminish, leading to economic losses, social inequalities, increased rates of chronic disease, and multigenerational cycles of poverty. With this, the state of Vietnam reiterates the necessity of international cooperation and solidarity from each nation to prohibit measures not in accordance with international law and that endanger food and nutrition security. Instead, embracing the notion of organizing collective solutions to global issues of food and nutrition security in a world of interlinked institutions, societies, and economies

Over the past decades, Vietnam has experienced rapid growth accompanied by significant shifts in diet, lifestyle, and health behaviors. Undernutrition and overnutrition now coexist as a result of this shift. More specifically, the correlation between these effects and behaviors indicated that this change occurred during the 1990s, when we experienced a drastic boom from Doi Moi reforms, with GDP growth averaging around 7% annually. Unfortunately, our strong economy and globalization have encouraged the consumption of highly processed foods that are full of artificial flavorings, sugar, and chemicals, so it is now only natural that Vietnamese children face the growing probability of obesity. In fact, data from the National Institute of Nutrition shows that the rate of overweight and obesity among school-aged children has more than doubled in a decade, from 8.5 percent in 2010 to 19 percent in 2020. And in all, a general 38% increase was reported in overweight cases, surpassing many neighboring countries. The crisis is particularly threatening in urban centers, where, in Ho Chi Minh City, over 50% of youth are identified as overweight or obese. By contrast, rural areas report a lower prevalence at 18.3 percent, though the numbers are still climbing. Poor nutrition, too, leaves its mark on our generations’ adolescents, with 1.8 million children under five and more than one-third of ethnic minorities of the same age bracket classified as stunted. And 58% have deficiencies in zinc, which is imperative for proper immune and cell development alongside the ability to heal. It is illustrated that victims of undernutrition were regarded as residing in rural areas, children with low birth weight, and those with poor socio-economic status, whereas living in urban and affluent areas and having an inactive lifestyle were associated with increased risk of overweight and obesity (National Institute of Health).

The delegation of Vietnam has made an array of efforts in order to mitigate the effects of obesity and undernutrition on our youth and citizens. In 2023, our Ministry of Health released Circular 29/2023, which provides guidelines for mandatory nutrition labeling on food products. In 2022, our ministry implemented updated guidelines for the treatment and diagnosis of obesity, expressing the delegation’s desire to explore and properly approach the rising problem. Most relevant, the government’s National Nutrition Strategy for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045, intends to better the nutritional status of adults and children with goals to improve water and sanitation, promote food and nutrition literacy, and reduce food waste so that good-quality food reaches those who need it most. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular the Sustainable Development Goals on ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, promoting sustainable agriculture, and ending poverty in all its forms everywhere, is the most important UN resolution that we repeatedly cite while anticipating our tread. UNICEF Vietnam has additionally aided in the support of drafting multiple resolutions for addressing and combatting malnutrition. SAM helps health authorities provide life-saving therapies, policy and guideline support, and advocacy and spreads awareness regarding the problem, too.

The delegation of Vietnam proposes a multi-step solution so as to alleviate the effects of malnutrition on both a domestic and international scale. Firstly, the delegation asks for the international commitment of the UN to the Rome Declaration on Nutrition to enshrine the right of everyone to access safe and sufficient food, swaying governments into preventing malnutrition in all forms. Secondly, the delegation of Vietnam’s National Nutrition Strategy for 2021-2030 is a notable draft for the UN, where we bid with funding from mandatory accessed contributions and emphasize implementing proper nutrition from rural to urban areas within facilities/schools, strengthening communication and education on said topic, and promoting basic research on nutrition and food suitable for both Vietnamese and global children to adapt to local conditions.

Sources

https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/718687?ln=en&v=pdf
Policies, Interventions and Actions: Vietnam
Prevalence, determinants, intervention strategies and current gaps in addressing childhood malnutrition in Vietnam: a systematic review – PMC
Vietnam’s Obesity Crisis: A Growing Public Health Challenge – Broadsheet Asia
https://www.unicef.org/vietnam/nutrition

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Russian Federation
Delegate Name: Rishi Babu

Committee: UNICEF
Topic: Combating Malnutrition
Country: Russian Federation
School: Farmington High School

Malnutrition is a condition that comes from a lack of important nutrients or calories. Malnutrition is one of the biggest issues towards the survival and development of children. The United Nations Children’s Fund states that nearly half of all deaths in children under five are caused by undernutrition. More specifically, 45 million children under five suffer from wasting while 148 million children are stunted as of 2024. The scope of malnutrition is very large, consisting of many different forms, further enforcing the significance of the issue to developing children. Malnutrition includes undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, obesity, and more. Along with the forms of malnutrition, the scope of the causes of malnutrition is also very large and differs from nation to nation. Some of the main causes of malnutrition consist of poverty, conflict, climate change, economic instability, and lack of healthcare or education. Combating malnutrition needs to be addressed immediately because it threatens the long term economic stability of countries and the social well being of children. Moreover, children in conflict affected and developing regions are at the most risk because of less humanitarian aid. Russia believes that combating malnutrition is important to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 of Zero Hunger.
In the past, UNICEF has stated that malnutrition is the single largest contributor to child mortality globally. The UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 is notable here because it directly correlates with the malnutrition issue. Russia has worked with the UN World Food Programme with initiatives targeting child nutrition and food assistance amidst crises. Russia has also been a part of agricultural development partnerships in Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Russia believes in keeping food and agriculture separate from politics as sanctions or trade barriers worsen malnutrition.
Malnutrition in Russia exists at lower rates than it does in the Global South but some issues still exist like obesity, anemia, and concerns with low birth weight. Russia has taken much domestic action towards this issue like the National Project “Demography” in 2019 which aims to improve maternal nutrition and expand perinatal care centers. The Federal Project “Strengthening Public Health” with the goal of balancing diets, reducing obesity, and educating about nutrition further helped Russia with reducing malnutrition. These are just some of the actions that Russia has taken to combat malnutrition. These policies all fall under Russia’s food security doctrine which aims for stable food supply and to create a framework for nutrition. Russia supports cooperation with UN bodies and other nations and advocates for keeping food security apart from political restrictions.
In order to combat malnutrition, Russia believes the UN should strengthen rapid nutrition response funds through UNICEF to address crises as fast as possible. In addition, the UN should support agricultural partnerships especially in vulnerable regions. Russia also holds that member states should invest in local agricultural production so that they depend less on global markets. Member states also should expand and develop their school meal programs and maternal health services. These methods to combat malnutrition will work because not only does it improve emergency response, but it also creates long term solutions such as local development of food. This addresses immediate needs from malnutrition and also fixes root causes of malnutrition for the long run.

Works Cited
“Child Nutrition – UNICEF DATA.” UNICEF Data, https://data.unicef.org/nutrition. Accessed 12 February 2026.
“Malnutrition in Children – UNICEF DATA.” UNICEF Data, 21 July 2025, https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/. Accessed 12 February 2026.
“Russian Federation (RUS) – Demographics, Health & Infant Mortality – UNICEF DATA.” UNICEF Data, https://data.unicef.org/country/rus/. Accessed 12 February 2026.
“security in the Russian Federation.” Food security in the Russian Federation, https://www.fao.org/4/y5069e/y5069e03.htm. Accessed 12 February 2026.
“The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 – UNICEF DATA.” UNICEF Data, 8 August 2025, https://data.unicef.org/resources/sofi-2025/. Accessed 12 February 2026.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: France
Delegate Name: Siddaly Sykes

Committee: UNICEF
Delegation: France
Name: Siddaly Sykes

Combatting Malnutrition
Malnutrition has proven to be one of, if not the greatest threats to children’s survival globally. For children under the age of five, malnutrition is the cause for half of all recorded deaths. The causes of malnutrition are dependent on each country, and the forms in which malnutrition take are also varied. Undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, obesity, diabetes, stunting, and wasting are all examples of malnutrition exhibited in children across the world. Though prevalent in every country, malnutrition is most often aligned with impoverished areas, areas of conflict, and countries where climate change has devastating impacts. All of these factors lead to inadequate access to healthcare, lack of education, and lack of food and clean water resources, ultimately contributing to malnutrition amongst children in these areas. While we must focus on directly assisting those affected currently by implementing aid programs and providing these groups with adequate nutritional resources, We must simultaneously focus on addressing the long term effects malnutrition could have on these groups. The World Bank states that children experience acute malnutrition across particularly South Asia and Africa will grow up to be less than half as successful as they could be, creating a terrible cycle of poverty, malnourishment, and underdevelopment in these areas (France). The adverse effects malnutrition has had and will continue to have on children and in turn on the world cannot continue at the rates in which they are today.
The Delegation of France considers solving the issue of malnutrition in children to be a top priority. For France, malnutrition most commonly takes the form of anemia, low birth weight, obesity, and diabetes, and occurs in children as well as adults (France). These issues are often not life threatening for children in France, but with trying to completely eradicate the issue of malnutrition, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 2, the Delegation of France is working to address these internal issues through a myriad of initiatives and programs. From a global standpoint, France has taken major strides towards reducing malnutrition, becoming an established “champion of nutrition”, collaborating with other countries to eliminate malnutrition across the world (Leading). The Agence Française de Développment (AFD) is the world’s oldest development bank and recognizes the importance of secure and stable nutritional systems and products for children. The AFD has consistently supported the French- owned Action Against Hunger (ACF), the only operational NGO solely focused on eliminating malnutrition (Leading). The ACF, since its creation in 1979, has connected with over 50 countries to provide nutritional support, has developed methods in which to measure malnutrition which are now used universally, and has developed several life-saving innovative nutritional solutions (Leading). France also, in 2025, led the meeting Nutrition for Growth Summit (N4G) which assembled several members of the UN to discuss and develop commitments to solving the issue of malnutrition as well as the issues caused by malnutrition. At the end over 400 commitments were created with over $28 billion provided to focus on enhancing sustainable food systems, improve health systems, and increase global access to basic food security and health coverage (Final). These ideas, supported and largely funded by France are important steps towards France’s goals of eradicating malnutrition, but real, impactful action is needed to realize these objectives.
The crises we face today are multifaceted, complex issues that can only be solved through coordinated action between each country of the United Nations. With the commitments outlined in N4G, each able country must uphold their obligations to fund the developments enacted through international cooperation. With funding, the delegation of France stresses the point that we must direct our funds to the most vulnerable areas to create the most cost-effective solutions. With that, we must first address the outstanding challenges affecting these areas, such as poverty, lack of education, and other social conditions widening the gap between the rich and poor. By directing funds to creating cost effective nutritional solutions such as SQLNS, increasing educational opportunities, and providing job opportunities in areas most heavily impacted, we have the ability to end the cycle of hunger and suffering too many children and their families endure. The delegation of France believes that we must also dedicate a portion of the funding collected to an emergency fund for crises that should arise around the world. Not only would this act as a safety net possibly saving millions of lives from facing malnutrition or death, but would also ensure the vicious cycle of poverty malnutrition creates cannot begin. The steps to reducing malnutrition are not easy, and the crises that we face today are formidable. This being said, we as the United Nations cannot stand idly by while millions of children die because of malnutrition. Collaboration and organization is the only way to creating and maintaining impactful solutions, and the Delegation of France believes that a future without malnutrition crises is possible if we can work together.

Works Cited
“AFD Group and Nutrition.” AFD, www.afd.fr/en/ressources/afd-group-and-nutrition. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Final Statement, nutritionforgrowth.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/EN-20250704-Joint-Statement-N4G-Paris_Final-version_website.pdf. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
“France.” Global Nutrition Report | Country Nutrition Profiles – Global Nutrition Report, globalnutritionreport.org/resources/nutrition-profiles/europe/western-europe/france/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
“Leading the Fight against Malnutrition: France’s Historic Role in the Run-up to Nutrition for Growth.” Donor Tracker, donortracker.org/publications/leading-the-fight-against-malnutrition-france-s-historic-role-in-the-run-up-to-nutrition-for-growth#france-as-a-nutrition-champion. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Malnutrition in Children – UNICEF Data, data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.

Topic: 2026 – Combating Malnutrition
Country: Denmark
Delegate Name: Victoria Kim

Kingdom of Denmark
United Nations Children’s Fund
Combating Malnutrition
Victoria Kim
City High Middle School

Decades and decades of the Danish malnutrition period (DMP) began in 1999, characterized by a sharp increase in elderly malnutrition-related deaths that peaked in 2004 to 2007. This hidden crisis is often discussed as driven by factors including new diet policies and ongoing undernutrition trends that have outpaced traditional dietary support systems. From 1998 to 2018, statistics have shown that approximately 3.1% of boys and 5.3% of girls aged 11-15 were underweight, with 39.9% of hospital patients at risk of malnutrition. In many developing and developed countries, food access is not a problem, but high intake of processed foods, sugar, and saturated fats lead to obesity with malnutrition. Especially in recent years, loss of appetite, chewing and swallowing problems and chronic diseases are prioritized concerns in elderly Danes. A key aspect of this committee is to target issues that lead to malnutrition and define specific measures needed to be taken to create a global nutritional framework. Whether it is low-level, hidden malnutrition largely among elderly citizens in more developed countries (MDCs) or crisis-level malnutrition, particularly stunting in children, malnutrition needs to be addressed through a unified global strategy.

Denmark believes that combating malnutrition should be deemed as a pivotal concern for the wellbeing of Danish citizens and citizens of all countries. The increased use of antibiotics to promote growth and prevent disease in developing farming systems has led to the origination of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Denmark is a world leader in fighting Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), as we believe that this weakens immune systems, further leading to compromised nutritional statuses of Danes. As a health-focused nation, Denmark hopes to put an emphasis on combating malnutrition through encouraging healthy food policies including the Danish Healthy Food Council (2018) and Danish Food Partnership for Health and Climate (2019) to increase the supply and demand of healthier food products.

Nutritional care quality is inconsistent across regions remains a pressing issue, as it inflates healthcare costs, prolongs recovery time, and places a strain on Denmark’s public health system. To address this systemic issue, Denmark hopes to unleash its “One-Health” expertise–originally developed to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)–to create a global nutritional framework. Denmark believes that resolutions should be centered around a global sustainable food system fund with the encouragement of the growth of “Global School Meal Coalition”; targeting food waste and supply preservation; and prioritizing Cash-Based Transfers (CBTs) to invest in long-term markets.

Position papers for SIMUN 2026 will appear above this line, with the newest being at the top.