Introduction

1. The Need for Food and Nutrition Security in AfricabyLouise SserunjogiMember Board of Directors, GAINat the 2005 World Food Prize International SymposiumDes Moines, IOWA; 12-14 October 2005

2. Introduction • 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) • Africa 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 2000-2002 • 815 million in developing countries. • Highest proportion in S. Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa • 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 Central South All Amer Carib Amer LAC All Northern Eastern Western Africa All Developing Countries South South All Central East Asia Goal + [(x00 – x90)/x90]100 (ACC/SCN, 2000)

5. Magnitude of Malnutrition in Africadue to food and nutrition insecurity Iron deficiency in women Low energy supply Total Goiter rate in school children Vit A Deficiency in 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: • Declining social sector performance • Poverty • HIV/AIDS • Conflicts/emergencies • Natural disasters • Climate changes

8. TypicalAfricanDiet Low intake of micronutrient rich foods!

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

10. Two billion people suffer key micronutrient deficiencies • Iodine deficiency in pregnancy - most common cause of preventable mental retardation and brain damage - 10-15% 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. • 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. • 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. 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 48,00 maternal deaths due to anaemia! Projected for Kenya 2000-10

13. And Iron Deficiency also hasInvisible Effects • 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 potential • Their future productivity is diminished • These effects are long lasting and potentially irreversible

14. Adult Productivity isCompromised • 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. • Almost the same amount (i.e. 500 Million dollars) will be lost in Mali.

15. Iodine Deficiency and Survival ( e.g. Uganda TGR=15) UNICEF/95-0065 Shadid 65,000 children will be born as cretins Another 194,000 will be born with severe mental retardation

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

17. Folic Acid can Prevent Birth Defects • 200.000 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 Irriversible BUT Preventable!

19. Food and Nutrition insecurity: • 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 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. Health, Survival and productivity Improved Food and Nutrition Security Diet Health Environ. Health, Hygiene & Sanitation Household Food Security Care of Mother and Child Human, Economic, Institutional Resources and Political Will

21. ‘Window’ of Opportunities • Success story of salt iodization • For > 75% of population in Africa . • New technologies to improve quality of food/diet • Renewed global commitment to address problem • The World Food Summit • Millennium Development Goals • Growing 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 Africa

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

23. Thank You