Today's Brief 6/07/2024
- M.R Mishra
- Jul 6, 2024
- 5 min read
The 2024 Child Nutrition Report, released by UNICEF, paints a concerning picture of child food poverty around the world.
around 181 million children worldwide under 5 years of age – or 1 in 4 – are experiencing severe child food poverty, making them up to 50 per cent more likely to experience wasting, a life-threatening form of malnutrition, a new UNICEF report reveals today.
In Somalia, a country experiencing conflict, drought and floods, 63 per cent of children are living in severe child food poverty and in the most vulnerable communities, over 80 per cent of caregivers reported that their child had been unable to eat for an entire day.
Severe Child Food Poverty: A staggering one in four children under 5, translating to roughly 181 million globally, experience severe child food poverty. This means they lack access to a nutritious and varied diet in their critical early years.
Uneven Progress: While there have been some improvements, progress towards eliminating severe child food poverty remains slow.
Impact of Malnutrition: Children facing severe child food poverty are highly vulnerable to life-threatening malnutrition, impacting their growth and development.
Geographic Disparity: South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa shoulder the heaviest burden, with over two-thirds of children in severe child food poverty residing in these regions.
Beyond Income: The report highlights that child food poverty transcends just income levels. It can affect both poor and non-poor households, indicating a systemic issue.
Diet Concerns: A worrying trend is the rise in unhealthy food consumption displacing nutrient-rich options in children's diets.
Global Crises: Food insecurity crises, conflicts, and climate shocks further exacerbate child food poverty.
What is RUTF?
RUTF is ready-to-use therapeutic food. It’s an energy dense, micronutrient paste made using peanuts, sugar, milk powder, oil, vitamins and minerals that has helped treat millions of children threatened by severe wasting – the most dangerous form of malnutrition.
Globally, 1 in 5 deaths among children under age 5 is attributed to severe wasting, making it one of the top threats to child survival.
2. Aphelion and perihelion are terms used to describe the points in the orbit of a planet (or other celestial body) around the Sun where it is farthest from and closest to the Sun, respectively.
Aphelion:
The point in the orbit where the planet is farthest from the Sun.
For Earth, aphelion occurs around early July each year.
At aphelion, Earth is about 152 million kilometers (94.5 million miles) from the Sun.
Distance from the Sun: At aphelion, Earth is approximately 152 million kilometers (94.5 million miles) away from the Sun.
Occurrence: For Earth, aphelion typically occurs around July 4th each year.
Orbital Speed: At aphelion, Earth moves slower in its orbit around the Sun due to the gravitational pull being weaker at greater distances.
Energy Dynamics: Earth has the highest potential energy and the lowest kinetic energy at aphelion.
Seasonal Effects: While aphelion contributes to the slight variations in solar radiation received, it does not significantly affect the seasons. The axial tilt of the Earth is the primary driver of seasonal changes.
Perihelion:
The point in the orbit where the planet is closest to the Sun.
For Earth, perihelion occurs around early January each year.
At perihelion, Earth is about 147 million kilometers (91.4 million miles) from the Sun.
Distance from the Sun: At perihelion, Earth is about 147 million kilometers (91.4 million miles) from the Sun.
Occurrence: For Earth, perihelion typically occurs around January 3rd each year.
Orbital Speed: Earth moves faster in its orbit at perihelion due to the stronger gravitational pull of the Sun.
Energy Dynamics: Earth has the lowest potential energy and the highest kinetic energy at perihelion.
Seasonal Effects: Although perihelion means Earth is closer to the Sun, it does not significantly affect the temperatures. The Southern Hemisphere experiences summer during perihelion, but the overall effect on global temperatures is minimal due to the distribution of land and sea.
These variations in distance are due to the elliptical shape of Earth's orbit, which is not a perfect circle but rather an ellipse. This elliptical orbit is described by Kepler's laws of planetary motion.
The differences in distance between aphelion and perihelion contribute to seasonal changes but are not the primary cause of the seasons, which are mainly due to the axial tilt of the Earth.
3. "Agniveer"The term "Agniveer" is associated with the Agnipath scheme introduced by the Indian government in June 2022.
Agnipath Scheme:
The term "Agniveer" is associated with the Agnipath scheme introduced by the Indian government in June 2022.
The Agnipath scheme is a new recruitment policy for the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force).
Under this scheme, soldiers, known as Agniveers, are recruited for a four-year tenure.
After completing their tenure, a portion of these Agniveers are retained based on merit and organizational requirements, while the rest receive a financial package and other benefits to aid their reintegration into civilian life.
The scheme aims to create a youthful profile of the Armed Forces and reduce the average age of soldiers.
Eligibility and Training:
Candidates between the ages of 17.5 and 21 are eligible to apply.
Selected candidates undergo rigorous training before they are deployed.
Objectives:
To provide an opportunity for young Indians to serve in the Armed Forces.
To instill a sense of discipline, duty, and patriotism.
To create a large pool of trained youth who can be valuable to the nation in various capacities after their service.
The Agnipath scheme is a new recruitment policy for the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force).
Under this scheme, soldiers, known as Agniveers, are recruited for a four-year tenure.
After completing their tenure, a portion of these Agniveers are retained based on merit and organizational requirements, while the rest receive a financial package and other benefits to aid their reintegration into civilian life.
The scheme aims to create a youthful profile of the Armed Forces and reduce the average age of soldiers.
Eligibility and Training:
Candidates between the ages of 17.5 and 21 are eligible to apply.
Selected candidates undergo rigorous training before they are deployed.
Objectives:
To provide an opportunity for young Indians to serve in the Armed Forces.
To instill a sense of discipline, duty, and patriotism.
To create a large pool of trained youth who can be valuable to the nation in various capacities after their service.
3. United Kingdom Elections:
4. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also known as the New Silk Road, is a massive infrastructure development project launched by China in 2013.
Goals:
Promote economic development: By investing in infrastructure projects like roads, railways, and ports, China aims to boost trade and economic growth for itself and participating countries.
Increase regional connectivity: The BRI seeks to create a more interconnected network of countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and beyond.
Scope:
Global: The BRI is vast, encompassing over 150 countries and international organizations.
Six Corridors: It consists of six land corridors connected by various infrastructure projects and a maritime Silk Road focusing on port development.
Impact:
Potential benefits: Increased trade, economic growth, job creation, and improved infrastructure for participating countries.
Concerns: Debt burden for some countries, lack of transparency in project selection, and environmental impact.
Current Status:
Ongoing development: The BRI is still under development, with new projects being announced regularly.
Scrutiny: The initiative faces growing scrutiny regarding its economic and environmental impact.
Participants: 39 countries in sub-Saharan Africa have joined the initiative, as well as 34 in Europe and Central Asia, 25 in East Asia and the Pacific, eighteen in Latin America and the Caribbean, 17 in the Middle East and North Africa, and 6 in South Asia.
These 139 members of BRI, including China, account for 40 percent of global GDP. Sixty-three percent of the world’s population lives within the borders of BRI countries.
Read Yesterday's TBF :
Refrence:
"https://www.unicef.org/media/145641/file/Nutrition%20Global%20Annual%20Results%20Report%202022.pdf".
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