celebrating africa day 2022

The Year of Nutrition Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent: Strengthening Agro-Food Systems, Health and Social Protection Systems for the Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Development.

According to Todd Benson etal child undernutrition remains one of Africa’s most fundamental challenges for improved human development. Because of limited resources, time and knowledge, far too many children on the continent are unable to access and effectively use the food and health services they need for a healthy life. Over 200 million people on the continent, both children and adults, are undernourished and their numbers having increased over the years since the 1990s. Due to child under-nutrition, most African countries are losing over 15% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In addition to existing malnutrition challenges the global health crisis of Covid-19 has greatly exposed the economic vulnerability of African countries and the weaknesses of their health and food systems. Multiple factors including land and crop degradation, periodic droughts and weather-related shocks, poverty, limited access to basic food staples and essential services, and population growth, contribute to emergency levels of malnutrition in the region.

Nutrition and resilience are intricately linked, well nourished individuals are healthier, can work harder and have greater physical reserves, households that are nutrition secure are thus better able to withstand, endure longer and build back better more quickly from external shocks. Nutrition Action Zimbabwe supported by various Partners is Implementing a number of projects to promote improved nutrition behaviours in communities. The goal is to enhance nutrition, health, growth and development of women, infants and young children at individual and community level in Zimbabwe. The Vision being to see a Zimbabwe without malnutrition , and ultimately AFRICA as a continent.

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