New financing for the Child Nutrition Fund announced at UNGA
Ireland and France pledge support to the CNF, while Nigeria commits domestic resources to expand nutrition services for children
A total of US$74.2 million (€65.5 million) was pledged to the UNICEF-led Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) at this year’s United Nations General Assembly. Nigeria also confirmed it will contribute US$26 million of its own resources alongside CNF grants, helping more children access prevention and treatment services.
The announcements include:
- Government of Ireland – €64 million. Ireland’s new four-year programme will support efforts to prevent and treat wasting in five countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. This builds on a previous three-year partnership with UNICEF and the CNF.
- Government of France – €1.5 million. France’s first contribution to the CNF will support nutrition services in areas of Sudan at high risk of famine. The planned programme aims to reach 80,000 children under five and 20,000 pregnant women and caregivers with preventive services, and provide treatment for 5,000 children with severe wasting.
- Government of Nigeria – US$26 million in domestic resources. Nigeria has committed US$26 million to finance essential nutrition commodities. Together with an earlier US$26 million contribution from the CNF, total financing for essential commodities now exceeds US$52 million. The partnership will support small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements to prevent undernutrition and ready-to-use therapeutic food to treat children with severe wasting. Overall, the programme aims to reach 1.5 million children.
These commitments come as nutrition needs rise and funding becomes harder to secure. At the same time, conflict, climate shocks and economic pressures are putting nutritious food and health services beyond the reach of more families. This financing will help countries prevent undernutrition, identify children who need care and treat them before their lives are at risk.
Ireland’s announcement builds on its earlier €30 million contribution to UNICEF through the CNF, while France is contributing to the Fund for the first time. Nigeria’s financing shows how international financing can help mobilize domestic resources, giving governments a stronger stake in nutrition programmes and helping sustain them over time.
The CNF would like to thank the incredible commitment of the Governments of Ireland, France and Nigeria for their recent contributions and collaboration.
