By-Liner

Ensuring the World Has Enough to Eat

October 16, 2008

By: Mark Green

On World Food Day, the United States stands with other nations in the world to combat global hunger and malnutrition by providing over $5.5 billion to fight hunger in 2008 and 2009. Last year, 850 million people went to bed hungry. In the past year, prices for staple foods have increased dramatically, resulting in a global food and nutrition crisis. This crisis will exacerbate global undernutrition, and will plunge 130 million more into hunger and food insecurity.

It is estimated that 22% of all Tanzanian children under age five are underweight. Undernourished children are more likely to die than their well-nourished counterparts. Undernutrition weakens the immune response, which increases the frequency, severity, duration, and mortality due to common childhood illness like diarrhea, measles, and pneumonia.

Malnutrition alone kills, but it also exacerbates the burden of infectious diseases. Undernutrition increases susceptibility to malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS, and other infectious diseases. Thus, the success of infectious disease programs depends on complementing nutrition interventions.

Even though many children eat enough to fend off hunger, some do not get the requisite micronutrients to stay healthy. The American people, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), are helping Tanzanians to fight hunger and malnutrition in three key areas: 1) micronutrient programs that reduce child and maternal morbidity and mortality; 2) Nutritional support for People Living with HIV/AIDS and Most Vulnerable Children; and 3) support to the agricultural sector which employs the vast majority of Tanzanians.

Adding vitamins and minerals to common foods, a process known as food fortification, can save lives, prevent disabilities and help build health and productivity. USAID supports food fortification through the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), through direct support to country programs like Tanzania, and through UNICEF for the elimination of iodine deficiency disorders.

In Tanzania, 24% of young children and 69% of lactating mothers suffer from vitamin A deficiency. USAID works closely with the Government of Tanzania, UNICEF, and others to support the twice-yearly mass distribution campaigns for vitamin A supplementation which have consistently resulted in coverage of over 85% of children under five years of age. It has been estimated that 30,000 Tanzanian lives are saved each year as a result of vitamin A supplementation.

Iron deficiency anemia is associated with 22% of maternal deaths and 24% of perinatal deaths in the world. There are many causes of anemia, including inadequate dietary intake, malaria and hookworm infection, and so multiple strategies are needed for its prevention and control. Prevalence of anemia in pregnant Tanzanian women is high at 58%. The American people support a comprehensive package of interventions for pregnant mothers through a program with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to improve the quality of antenatal care services. Key interventions to address maternal anemia in the antenatal setting include iron-folate supplementation, deworming after the first trimester, dietary counseling, intermittent presumptive treatment for malaria and bed-net distribution.

Diarrhea deaths are the third leading cause of deaths for all ages and this problem is especially acute for children. The benefits of zinc as a therapy for acute and persistent diarrhea have been confirmed through numerous studies. In December 2006, the Government of Tanzania adopted a policy for the use of zinc supplements together with oral rehydration salts for the management of diarrhea and has been taking concrete steps to get zinc into the public supply system. USAID supports the National Zinc Taskforce’s efforts to develop effective policy and implementation of the zinc program in Tanzania. USAID also supports the capacity of two pharmaceutical companies in local production of Zinc so that a quality product can be available at affordable prices for Tanzanian children.

It is well known that HIV/AIDS can cause or exacerbate malnutrition, which can worsen the impact of HIV/AIDS by weakening the immune system, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections, and reducing the effectiveness of treatment. The American people, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), are taking action to improve the nutrition of People Living with HIV/AIDS, women receiving treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS and Tanzania’s Most Vulnerable Children and their caregivers.

The ultimate goal for any nation in terms of food and nutrition is to wipe out hunger and achieve sustainable food security. This is especially important in Tanzania where nearly 80% of the population engages in agriculture. The American people support a wide range of programs through USAID to enhance agricultural productivity, food security, and provision of credit to the agricultural sector.

USAID supports organizations such as the Eastern African Grain Council (EAGC) and the Tanzanian Horticultural Association (TAHA) to boost agricultural development in Tanzania. Other projects funded by the American people, such as support to women in Usa River to receiving their own plots of land for the first time. Programs have also benefited over 28,000 small farmers by increasing incomes through improved production techniques and post production handling. Improved access to credit for agriculture received a significant boost with the recently launched partnership between USAID, the African Development Bank, and CRDB Bank to extend a $20 million credit guarantee benefiting agribusinesses.

In a globalized world there are no single-actor solutions that can bring about sustained results. This is particularly relevant to the challenges of food and nutrition. Every man, woman and child should have access to healthy foods and essential supplements. This is why the United States remains committed to working with all Tanzanian’s to advance food security and nutrition, giving children the best possible start in life.

Mark Green is the Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Republic of Tanzania.