On Wednesday, June 10, a representative from the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee announced that 200,000 children under the age of 6 in Iran are suffering from malnutrition. Jafar Rahimi, the director of health, treatment, and insurance affairs at the committee, told ILNA news agency that 50% of these children are referred to the committee due to poverty and malnutrition to benefit from supportive services. He noted that 'the number of malnourished children under 6 years old can change due to the country's economic conditions,' adding that 'this year, 92,000 children under 6 will be supported by the relief committee, which is an increase of 4,000 compared to 88,000 supported in 1995, thanks to an increase in the committee's budget for nutrition.' Rahimi announced that the budget allocated for the malnutrition relief program for children under 6 has increased by 2%, stating, 'This year, the per capita food basket for children is set at 72,000 tomans.' According to him, 'these baskets are provided to children of different ages—2 to 6 years, 2 to 3 years, and above 3 years—depending on the dietary preferences of each region.' In his interview with ILNA, Rahimi pointed out that Sistan and Baluchestan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Kerman, and Khuzestan are six deprived provinces in Iran, and he said, 'The malnutrition program in these provinces is being implemented more specifically according to regional conditions.' The news of 200,000 children suffering from malnutrition comes at a time when Ali Akbar Siari, the Deputy Minister of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education, stated last August that over 25 million Iranians 'do not have bread to eat, and this statistic is also confirmed by the Ministry of Welfare.' Parviz Fattah, the head of the relief committee, also mentioned on March 7 of last year that '11 million people in Iran' are below the poverty line. According to the wage committee of 1996, the livelihood basket for a working family of three and a half persons is 2 million and 480 thousand tomans, while the minimum monthly wage for workers for the current year is set at 930 thousand tomans, with payments of this minimum wage often delayed for months.
200,000 Children Under 6 Years Old Suffer from Malnutrition in Iran
A report reveals that 200,000 children under 6 in Iran are malnourished, primarily due to poverty. The Imam Khomeini Relief Committee is increasing its support for these children, but the situation highlights the broader economic crisis affecting millions in the country. This issue is critical as it reflects the dire state of child welfare and poverty in Iran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
A report revealed that 200,000 children under 6 in Iran are suffering from malnutrition, primarily due to poverty. The Imam Khomeini Relief Committee is increasing its support for these children amid a worsening economic crisis.
- 50% of malnourished children are referred to the committee due to poverty.
- Over 25 million Iranians reportedly do not have enough food to eat.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has been grappling with economic difficulties exacerbated by sanctions, mismanagement, and rising poverty rates, leading to a public health crisis.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%