HAVANA.- He United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed in its Report on Child Nutrition, that 9% of children in Cuba suffer from serious food povertyhighlighting that minors only have access to two of the eight essential foods for a healthy diet.
According to review Cuban Diary, the report indicates that 4 out of 5 children affected by severe food poverty in Cuba consume only breast milk, dairy products, and basic foods rich in starch such as rice, corn or wheat. Less than 10% consume fruits and vegetables, and less than 5% have access to animal proteins such as eggs, meat, poultry and fish.
Compared to the rest of Latin America, where severe child food poverty affects 9% of children (about 5 million), and moderate food poverty affects 28% (18 million), the situation in Cuba is particularly alarming given the history of the island in terms of social policies. Worldwide, one in four children lives in conditions of severe food poverty, with Somalia being the country with the highest incidence.
UNICEF notes that severe child food poverty is due to precarious food environments, poor eating practices and household income poverty, factors that have been exacerbated in Cuban society in recent years. These elements reflect the growing inequalities under the socialist regime.
The organization emphasizes that income poverty prevents families from providing a nutritious and varied diet to their children, and that health systems do not offer the necessary essential nutrition services. Given this situation, UNICEF urges governments, including the Cuban regime, to guarantee political and regulatory frameworks that address the causes of child food poverty and to avoid conflicts of interest, especially with the food and beverage industry.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the Office of the Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights (REDESCA) also expressed their concern about the increase in food insecurity in Cuba. These organizations highlight that this crisis disproportionately affects vulnerable people, such as the elderly, pregnant women, children and adolescents, and people with chronic diseases, seriously impacting their living conditions.
The Food Monitor Program warns that nutrient deficits and food insecurity are having adverse consequences on the health of Cubans, underscoring the urgency of addressing this crisis.
Source: With information from Diario de Cuba
