We are happy to celebrate a major win for children’s health: Canada has announced a bold commitment of $78 million to the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), a lifesaving investment that will help fight severe malnutrition and give more children the chance to survive and thrive.
The announcement was made on September 24, 2025, by Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State for International Development, at an event on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
“(…) Our responsibilities don’t end at our borders. Our compassion and actions can help share a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world for everyone (…) I encourage others to join us to help ensure that children around the world get the healthy food they need. Because when we invest in child nutrition, we invest in a more prosperous world for us all.” said Sarai in a video recording.
This milestone was made possible thanks in part to Results Canada’s dedicated volunteers. Over the past few months, they have written letters, met with Members of Parliament, and raised awareness in their communities to show why nutrition must remain a global priority. We also want to celebrate Results Fellows who helped raise the profile of the CNF in conversations with decision-makers. Their efforts paid off.
Canada’s announcement comes at a critical time. Around the world, children are facing overlapping crises – conflict, climate shocks, and growing hunger – that are making malnutrition a daily emergency. In some countries, lifesaving treatments like Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) are out of stock because of funding cuts from donor governments, including the US’ cuts to USAID. At least 14 million children are expected to face disruptions to nutrition services this year alone, undermining decades of progress in reducing maternal and child mortality.
This new funding, doubled by the CNF through its innovative finance model and commitments by major foundations, will provide RUTF to children suffering from severe wasting in regions with urgent needs. Severe wasting, when a child is dangerously thin for their height, is the deadliest form of malnutrition, with a high risk of mortality if left untreated. RUTF, a simple peanut-based paste packed with essential nutrients, offers one of the most effective and affordable treatments available. In just a few weeks, it can restore a child’s health and strength. Canada’s investment will also provide support for breastfeeding, weight gain monitoring and food supplements for young children and pregnant women.
This announcement also builds on Canada’s strong leadership in nutrition earlier this year, when it pledged $360.6 million to Nutrition International to help reduce stunting and anemia in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Together, these two announcements bring us halfway toward our goal of mobilizing $750 million for nutrition over the next five years.
While we can be proud of Canada for showing up, there’s still more to do. Malnutrition isn’t just about food – it's about a child’s ability to survive, grow, learn, and thrive. And it doesn’t begin at birth. A mother’s nutrition during pregnancy is critical to a child’s health and development. While emergency treatments like RUTF are essential for saving lives, long-term solutions are just as important. The CNF was created to support that full continuum – prevention, detection, and treatment – by helping governments expand maternal and child nutrition services, strengthen supply chains, and build sustainable health systems.
Canada’s investment is a strong step forward, but lasting impact will require continued leadership through:
Thanks to advocates like our volunteers and fellows, Canada is showing what leadership looks like. Now let’s keep going until Canada meets our full ask because every child and every mother deserve the nourishment they need to survive, grow, and build a brighter future.
Join the movement and become a volunteer or Fellow today!
