There is no excuse for any child to get severely malnourished. Waiting until a child’s organs are shutting down, their skin is peeling, and they have no energy to sit up, laugh, or play is unacceptable. Yet, this is exactly how we currently treat childhood malnutrition globally.

When war or natural disaster strikes, first responders rush to the scene with food, water, and shelter. Within sixty days of a conflict or emergency, displaced children begin a dangerous decline—from healthy to hungry, to moderately malnourished, and finally, to severely malnourished. Children under five are the most vulnerable, as they are susceptible to other diseases and suffer immediate consequences: stunted growth, weakened immune systems, cognitive impairments, and increased susceptibility to infections. By the time treatment arrives in the form of Plumpy'Nut, a fortified food, these children are clinging to life with their final breaths, teetering on the brink of death. This is like waiting for a house to be on fire before installing smoke alarms.​