A lone child eats inside a classroom. (Photo : Reuters)
The National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) and the All-China Women’s Federation (ACWF) said that there are 3-4 million children-infants included in aged 0-6 years living today in China in extreme poverty.
NHFPC and ACWF conducted a survey in rural and regional areas across the country, and they found that almost 36 million people are now experiencing extreme poverty. The 3-4 million kids are part of that huge chunk.
Extreme poverty has a domino effect on these children.
Inadequate diet has made the children underweight. Even if they have food to eat, its nutritional value may be little, as indicated by a number of infants and children who have deficiencies in vitamin A and zinc.
The two organizations said that only 1 out of 4 babies is breastfed. Breast milk contains vitamin A, which is critical for babies.
Vitamin A deficiency may cause diarrhea, measles and night blindness and can even lead to anemia. Zinc assists in healthy growth, and lack of it stunts growth and increases the risk of getting kidney and liver diseases.
Malnutrition is expected for those living in extreme poverty, and it has prevented the children from achieving the ideal height for their age. Some 6-year-old kids are only as tall as the 2-year-old ones, said someone from the survey group to the Global Times.
And, more than anything else, the survey said that extreme poverty robs children of parental love and care. Parents work had all day--and perhaps even all night--just to make ends meet, spending little time with their children.
The survey said that children seldom get hugged, and the babies are not held as often as they should be. Parents put their priorities on securing basic necessities over displaying affection and instilling values.
A nutrition specialist who worked with UNICEF, Chang Suying said “more money should be invested” on impoverished children. “Everybody says children are the future,” she said.
These days, extreme poverty continues to cradle in its arms 3-4 million children across the country.
