The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has released a report that includes Cuba in its assessment of child nutrition. According to UNICEF, 9% of children in Cuba suffer from severe food insecurity. This condition means that these children have access to a maximum of only two out of the eight essential foods necessary for a healthy life.
Despite this alarming situation, the UNICEF office in Cuba has refrained from commenting on the matter, continuing to claim on its website that the island boasts high levels of child protection and development. This disparity between the report’s findings and the official stance highlights the fragility of the Cuban regime's achievements in child protection.
The UNICEF report specifies that among the children suffering from severe food insecurity, four out of five primarily consume breast milk and dairy products, along with a staple food rich in starch such as rice, corn, or wheat. Only 10% of these children eat fruits and vegetables, and less than 5% receive protein from sources like eggs, meat, poultry, and fish.
Globally, severe food insecurity affects 27% of children under the age of five, equating to 181 million young children. In Latin America, the figures stand at 9% for severe food insecurity and 28% for moderate food insecurity. Somalia presents the worst scenario, with 63% of its children suffering from this condition.
UNICEF emphasizes that child food insecurity is a result of inadequate food environments, poor feeding practices, and household income poverty. These factors have become more pronounced in Cuba, exacerbating inequalities rather than reducing them, contrary to the official narrative of the regime.
Understanding Severe Child Food Insecurity in Cuba
In light of the recent UNICEF report on child food insecurity in Cuba, we address some frequently asked questions to provide a clearer understanding of the issue.
What does severe food insecurity mean for children in Cuba?
Severe food insecurity means that children have access to a maximum of only two out of the eight essential foods necessary for a healthy life.
How many children in Cuba are affected by severe food insecurity?
According to UNICEF, 9% of children in Cuba suffer from severe food insecurity.
What are the primary foods consumed by children suffering from severe food insecurity in Cuba?
Among affected children, four out of five mainly consume breast milk and dairy products, along with a staple food rich in starch such as rice, corn, or wheat.
What factors contribute to child food insecurity in Cuba?
Child food insecurity in Cuba is caused by inadequate food environments, poor feeding practices, and household income poverty. These issues have worsened the inequalities rather than reducing them, as per the official narrative.