More than 850,000 children treated for malnutrition in Sahel in 2012, UNICEF says

"A UNICEF progress report [.pdf] says that more than 850,000 children are expected to have received life-saving treatment for severe acute malnutrition across nine countries in the Sahel region during the course of 2012," according to a UNICEF press release, noting the number is "based on the more than 730,000 children under five treated at centers between January and the end of September." The press release continues, "The report says early funding by donors such as the Swedish and Danish Governments, the European Union and USAID meant crucial supplies of ready-to-use therapeutic food were purchased in good time and pre-positioned." Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF's acting regional director, said in the press release, "In 2012 a tremendous effort meant we were able to give every child who was able to arrive at a treatment center appropriate care. But we need to get to the state where more robust systems are in place and treatment centers see far fewer children" (12/11).