News and Events

The Ministry of Health and Wellness, together with Ministry of Local Government and Rural development, Basic Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Food security and UNICEF, recently held a breakfast meeting to launch the state of the world children report under the theme: children, food and nutrition: growing well in a changing world.

The meeting aimed to secure the support of high-level leadership from government and development agencies to champion the Nutrition agenda with a view to increase visibility of the enormous challenges of malnutrition and to enhance multi-sectoral collaboration.

UNICEF country rep Ms. Juliana Lindsey reported that the report examines children, food and nutrition. “It seeks to deepen understanding around the causes and consequences of children’s malnutrition in all its forms and to highlight how governments, business, families and other stakeholders can best respond, “she added.

She further went on to say that the state of the world children report (SOWC) highlights that:
• At least 1 in 3 children is undernourished or overweight and 1 in 2 suffers from hidden hunger
• The triple burden of malnutrition – under nutrition, hidden hunger and overweight – threatens the survival, growth and development of children, young people, economies and nations.
• The triple burden of malnutrition is driven by the poor quality of children’s diets
• Globalization, urbanization, inequities, humanitarian crises and climate shocks are driving unprecedented negative changes in the nutrition situation of children around the world.
• Improving children’s nutrition requires food systems to deliver nutritious, safe, affordable and sustainable diets for all children.
• Healthy options are affordable, convenient and desirable; children and families make better food choices Read more...