1 The Need for Food and Nutrition Security in Africa by Louise Sserunjogi Member Board of Directors, GAIN at the 2005 World Food Prize International Symposium Des Moines, IOWA; October 2005

2 Introduction Food and Nutrition security are at the center of survival and development.Food and Nutrition security are at the center of survival and development. Food and Nutrition security are key elements in almost ALL the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)Food and Nutrition security are key elements in almost ALL the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Africa is challenged to utilize new technologies, opportunities, and global commitment to address the problemAfrica is challenged to utilize new technologies, opportunities, and global commitment to address the problem

3 FAO Estimates: 852 Million people world wide were undernourished in Million people world wide were undernourished in –815 million in developing countries. –Highest proportion in S. Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa As of March 2005; food shortage in 36 countries.As of March 2005; food shortage in 36 countries. – 23 in Africa –7 in Asia/near East –5 Latin America –1 in Europe

4 Percent change + in underweight in preschool children during the 1990s All Northern Eastern Western Africa South South All Central East Asia Central South All Amer Carib Amer LAC All Developing Countries Goal + [(x 00 – x 90 )/x 90 ]100 (ACC/SCN, 2000)

5 Magnitude of Malnutrition in Africa due to food and nutrition insecurity Iron deficiency in women Low energy supply Vit A Deficiency in children Total Goiter rate in school children

6 Main Causes of Childhood Mortality in Africa Malnutrition = 54% Malnutrition is the single underlying cause of child mortality !

7 Why these trends? Eroded capacities at all levels, caused by:Eroded capacities at all levels, caused by: –Declining social sector performance –Poverty –HIV/AIDS –Conflicts/emergencies –Natural disasters –Climate changes

8 Typical African Diet Low intake of micronutrient rich foods!

9 Median vitamin A and iron intake of poorest children (lowest 20%) Median vitamin A and iron intake of poorest children (lowest 20%) KEY OUTCOMES: NATIONAL FOOD CONSUMPTION SURVEY (1999)

10 Two billion people suffer key micronutrient deficiencies Iodine deficiency in pregnancy - most common cause of preventable mental retardation and brain damage % lowering of average intellectual capacity.Iodine deficiency in pregnancy - most common cause of preventable mental retardation and brain damage % lowering of average intellectual capacity. Vitamin A deficiency - affects 40-60% of children under-five in developing world, compromising immune systems, causing a million deaths a year.Vitamin A deficiency - affects 40-60% of children under-five in developing world, compromising immune systems, causing a million deaths a year. Iron deficiency - most widespread health problem, impairing normal mental development in 40-60% of infants in the developing world, debilitating the health and energies of 500 million women, leading to more than 60,000 deaths during childbirth a year. Lost productivity of up to 2% of GDP.Iron deficiency - most widespread health problem, impairing normal mental development in 40-60% of infants in the developing world, debilitating the health and energies of 500 million women, leading to more than 60,000 deaths during childbirth a year. Lost productivity of up to 2% of GDP. Folate deficiency - responsible for 200,000 severe birth defects a year in developing countries.Folate deficiency - responsible for 200,000 severe birth defects a year in developing countries. Zinc deficiency affecting growth and survival of children.Zinc deficiency affecting growth and survival of children.

11 Vitamin A Deficiency Vitamin A deficiency - affects 40-60% of children under- five in developing world, compromising immune systems, causing a million preventable deaths a year.Vitamin A deficiency - affects 40-60% of children under- five in developing world, compromising immune systems, causing a million preventable deaths a year. In Mali with 47% children affected, it is projected; over 170,000 child deaths will be attributable to Vitamin A deficiency between the years 1999 and 2007

12 Effects of Iron Deficiency Women risk death in childbirth Infants often have low birth weight Children are at greater risk of severe infections and death Projected for Kenya ,00 maternal deaths due to anaemia!

13 And Iron Deficiency also has Invisible Effects Children may be less intelligent, scoring up to 10 points lower on standard tests (intelligence quotient or I.Q)Children may be less intelligent, scoring up to 10 points lower on standard tests (intelligence quotient or I.Q) Their school performance is below their potentialTheir school performance is below their potential Their future productivity is diminishedTheir future productivity is diminished These effects are long lasting and potentially irreversibleThese effects are long lasting and potentially irreversible

14 Adult Productivity is Compromised Resulting in losses of about 1.1 % of GDP in many African countries If current rates of malnutrition Remain: Ghana is doomed to lose a total of over 550 Million dollars, worth of net productivity from iron deficiency anaemia, iodine deficiency and stunting.Ghana is doomed to lose a total of over 550 Million dollars, worth of net productivity from iron deficiency anaemia, iodine deficiency and stunting. Almost the same amount (i.e. 500 Million dollars) will be lost in Mali. Almost the same amount (i.e. 500 Million dollars) will be lost in Mali.

15 UNICEF/ Shadid Iodine Deficiency and Survival ( e.g. Uganda TGR=15) 65,000 children will be born as cretins Another 194,000 will be born with severe mental retardation

16 Iodine Deficiency and Education Learning abilityLearning ability School performanceSchool performance Retention ratesRetention rates Speech & hearing defectsSpeech & hearing defects UNICEF/C-56-19/Murray-Lee Permanent!

17 Folic Acid can Prevent Birth Defects children are born each year world-wide with severe neural tube defects such as spina bifida or anencephaly children are born each year world-wide with severe neural tube defects such as spina bifida or anencephaly In 2002 Uganda reported 2 per 1000 births with spina bifida; 4/5 of these developing hydrocephalus

18 Malnutrition’s effect on:  Health and Survival  Educability  Economic Productivity  Disability  Health and Survival  Educability  Economic Productivity  Disability Irriversible BUT Preventable!

19 Food and Nutrition insecurity: Is an aspect of many factors occurring at different levels. These include:Is an aspect of many factors occurring at different levels. These include: –Poverty –Unequal distribution of resources –and violation of human rights. Improvement will be complemented byImprovement will be complemented by – increased food consumption; dietary diversity; food fortification; better access to safe water and sanitation; access to a broader range of health services and care; with opportunities for positive behavioral change.

20 Human, Economic, Institutional Resources and Political Will Improved Food and Nutrition Security HealthDiet Household Food Security Care of Mother and Child Environ. Health, Hygiene & Sanitation Health, Survival and productivity

21 ‘Window’ of Opportunities Success story of salt iodizationSuccess story of salt iodization –For > 75% of population in Africa. New technologies to improve quality of food/dietNew technologies to improve quality of food/diet Renewed global commitment to address problemRenewed global commitment to address problem –The World Food Summit –Millennium Development Goals Growing partnership building for supportGrowing partnership building for support –NEPAD- Regional Economic Initiatives –GAIN Growing support for capacity building and skills development in area of food and nutrition security in AfricaGrowing support for capacity building and skills development in area of food and nutrition security in Africa

22 Africa’s Future is Challenged Almost over 1/3 of children in Africa are affected with micronutrient deficienciesAlmost over 1/3 of children in Africa are affected with micronutrient deficiencies The situation is unacceptable!The situation is unacceptable! Technology to improve diet quality with essential nutrients through fortification is available and affordableTechnology to improve diet quality with essential nutrients through fortification is available and affordable for Food and Nutrition Security are essential for Survival and Development

23 Thank You