Independent News Express

Category: Food & Drink

  • Lagos SWAN Joins UN To Celebrate World Nutrition Month At Unilag Confab

    Lagos SWAN Joins UN To Celebrate World Nutrition Month At Unilag Confab

    The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Lagos Chapter, in partnership with the United Nations, is proud to announce the unveiling of the 2025 United Nations World Nutrition Month. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 10 am at the Unilag Rahman Hall in Yaba, Lagos

    Event Highlights:

    • Exhibitions of hygienic items and products
    • Showcase of nutritional products by reputable food and beverage companies, including Promasidor, Tolaram, Nigeria Bottling Company, Flour Mills of Nigeria, UAC, and Nestle
    • Insights from Food Nutritionists and Wellness Experts
    • Focus on food security, health, safety, nutrition, and environment

    The event aims to promote nutrition and wellness, particularly among young adults and rising youths, and to emphasize the importance of food security, health, and safety in achieving overall wellness.

    “We believe it is crucial we continue to establish a smoother synergy collaboration with institutions to join in the advocacy of nutrition to build a healthier and safer society.

    “The immense contributions of health care towards social development is a way of adding value to character building .

    “As sports diplomacy is one of the core mandates of our professional agency, we want to initiate a productive partnership and collaboration with your institution to further future prospects of youth developmental growth,” said Olatutu Oladunni, chairman of Lagos SWAN.

    Secretary of Lagos SWAN, Omotunde Bello said that all stakeholders are invited to this event and to join us in promoting nutrition and wellness for a brighter future.

  • 2024 World Food Day: Unhealthy Foods Jeopardising Our Future, Say Nigerian Youths

    2024 World Food Day: Unhealthy Foods Jeopardising Our Future, Say Nigerian Youths

    As the world marks World Food Day with the theme “Right to foods for a better life and a better future”, young people under the aegis of the Healthy Food Policy Youth Vanguard (HFPYV) have urged governments at all levels to strengthen nutritious food policies, food security and access in the interest of public health.

    They lamented that governments appeared to be standing by while food corporations endanger their well-being by relentlessly targeting them with unhealthy ultra-processed foods and drinks often high in sodium and sugar, the excessive consumption of which erodes health.

    In a statement signed by Afeez Adedayo Bello on behalf of its communications team, HFPYV said: “Excessive consumption of sodium, sugary sweetened beverages (SSBs) and ultra-processed foods is worsening the country’s non-communicable diseases (NCDs) burden and dimming the prospects of Nigerian youths enjoying a healthy adulthood.

    “Everywhere you turn on radio, TV and the internet, we are bombarded by adverts of these unhealthy products, disguised as healthy foods, all targeted at young people. Giant food corporations are given free rein to entice us, and sadly, many youths, unprotected by government regulations, fall prey and become addicted to these products to the detriment of their health.

    “In Nigeria, life expectancy at birth is currently about 61.79 as of 2023, but many young Nigerians, unlike their forefathers, are at risk of not reaching this relatively low milestone because, among others, they are the victims of relentless exposure to harmful sugary drinks, and ultra-processed foods excessively high in sodium, produced by food corporations that prioritise profits over the health of their consumers.

    “These corporations are so dominant that they are gradually pushing our natural, indigenous foods to the background and even changing our food culture. For instance, many young Nigerians are no longer familiar with and cannot prepare the dishes their grandparents ate. In another instance, ultra-processed foods, such as noodles, are now the donation of choice to natural disaster victims, while unhealthy sugar-laden drinks have replaced healthy indigenous drinks at social gatherings across the length and breadth of the country.”

    Furthermore, the group argued that NCDs already place inordinate demands on Nigeria’s healthcare system, adding that the need to reduce unhealthy food intake “is highly relevant for improved health outcomes.”

    The statement further referenced the danger of tobacco smoking and related products being aggressively marketed by the industry to young Nigerians.

    It said: “Alarmingly, about five million young Nigerians are said to be addicted to tobacco smoking, further exposing a critical mass of the country’s demographics to debilitating NCDs.

    “Despite this, the tobacco industry is relentlessly pushing out newer forms of tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, so-called herbal cigarettes and heat-not-burn cigarettes, packaged to attract children and young people into the deadly habit of smoking or vaping.

    “Apart from being an annual global observance that aims to raise awareness of the need to ensure food security and access to nutritious food for all, World Food Day also highlights the importance of sustainable agriculture and food production to address global food challenges. Every Nigerian child deserves to grow up well-nourished. But for millions of children across the country, hunger is their everyday reality.

    “In light of this, we urge governments at all levels to re-align food and agricultural interventions, including climate policies, so there can be increased access to nutritious foods and food systems can be more healthy, equitable and sustainable.

    “Furthermore, we advocate that agriculture budgets be allocated in ways that can stimulate the production of more nutritious foods, increase their availability and reduce their costs so that healthy diets can be affordable.

    “At the same time, other healthy food policies like effective SSB tax, mandatory salt limits, and effective tobacco control measures need to complement these efforts to increase their impact by creating incentives and supportive environments for healthy diets.”

  • Gov Sanwo-Olu Makes Case For Smart Packaging To Reduce Food Waste

    Gov Sanwo-Olu Makes Case For Smart Packaging To Reduce Food Waste

    BY OLANIYI OLUGBENGA JOSEPH

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described smart packaging for food security as a national priority capable of ensuring food security, redefining non-oil export and boosting the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu made the remark at the 11th edition of Propak West Africa 2024 Smart Packaging Conference 3.0 organised in collaboration with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and others, held on Tuesday at Victoria Island, Lagos, with the theme: “Unlocking Nigeria’s Food Security: Implementation of Sustainable Packaging to Reduce Food Waste”.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, the Governor stated that smart packaging is of paramount importance to our nation’s economic stability, environmental sustainability, and the well-being of our people.

    His words: “Packaging for Food Security is a National Priority as Nigeria continues to grow in both population and economic ambition. The issue of food security has taken centre stage in our national development agenda. Despite our rich agricultural resources, we still face significant post-harvest losses due to inadequate processing, packaging, and storage. It is estimated that up to 40 per cent of food produced in Nigeria is lost before it reaches the consumer.

    “As a government, we understand that creating an enabling environment is fundamental to unlocking the potential of smart packaging and sustainable plastics. Our policies must reflect our commitment to foster innovation, support local manufacturing and enforce responsible plastic usage”.

    Sanwo-Olu emphasised that his administration will continue to promote legislation that incentivises sustainable business practices, reduce barriers to green technologies, and champion recycling initiatives.

    “But beyond regulations, we recognise that success in this area requires close collaboration with the private sector, academia, and civil society. Our shared responsibility is to build a future where Nigeria leads in sustainable packaging solutions that reduce food waste and mitigate environmental harm from plastics.

    “I encourage every stakeholder here to embrace the themes of this year’s event with urgency and determination. We must actively seek out ways to implement smart packaging technologies that ensure food security and reduce waste. We must collaborate across sectors to manage plastics responsibly and push forward innovations that protect both our economy and our environment”, he said.

    Regional Director, Montgomery Group/Organisers of the exhibition, George Pearson enthused that Propak West Africa has grown year on year to become the largest and most attended platform serving the manufacturing sector in West Africa, with over 275 exhibitors and brands from 36 countries showcasing their products to over 5,500 industry professionals while showcasing the international appeal of the event.

    “As a forum for product and solution procurement, business networking and solution showcasing, Propak West Africa has been designed to support companies and individuals involved across the manufacturing spectrum by creating an environment where business partnerships can start, develop and flourish under one roof over three days right here in Lagos”, he said.

    Sharing the perspectives of the Manufacturer’s Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Director-General/CEO, Dr. Segun Ajayi-Kadiri (MNI), represented by Assistant Director, Corporate Communications, Dr. Segun Alabi, stated that the value addition that the manufacturing sector offers the agricultural sector cannot be overemphasised, however, there is the need to further strengthen the synergy between the agriculture and manufacturing sectors, to deliver the much-desired and long-awaited food security in Africa.

    “The combinative solution that smart packaging offers helps to extend shelf life, monitor food quality and reduce waste. This is what we should be focusing on as we can no longer afford more waste as a Nation”, he said.

    The three-day 2024 Smart Packaging Conference 3.0, which ran from Tuesday, 10th to Thursday, 12th September, 2024 showcased diverse manufacturing machines and products from various manufacturers.

  • ADICC set for Irish African Food Festival

    ADICC set for Irish African Food Festival

    As part of activities to commemorate this year’s World Food Day, the Africans in Diaspora Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Heritage Confectionery, Ireland is planning to organise an Irish African Food Festival (IAFF 2024).


    The two-day event slated for the 19th- 20th October 2024 in Dublin the Irish Capital will showcase the unique diversity of food representing the five continents of the World namely, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and America.

    According to a statement signed by Paula Rose Mc Kenzie and Hon. Olusesan Arowolo, the MD/CEO of Heritage Confectionery, on behalf of the organizers of the Irish African Food Festival, participants will range from organic and fresh food producers to food vendors, artisan restaurants and traditional cuisine by hoteliers and it’s expected to raise awareness and offer fantastic exposure for the rapidly growing food culture in Ireland.

    “This food festival is to commemorate the World Food Day celebrated worldwide every 16th October, as declared by the United Nations to ighlight issues that have to do with food security and help fight hunger worldwide.


    The statement noted that the first day of the festival tagged ‘ Understanding Culture through Food’ will showcase the display of food representing the five continents. It will project how food defines every nation and helps people form connections with societies around the world.


    Activities on the first day will go beyond eating and drinking but also reveal how the food scene from different continents is bringing together food, culture, and community, as well as a chance for everyone to sample variety of food from different chefs, food producers, vendors and restaurants.


    The organisers also noted that on that day, they would like Nigeria to showcase one or two of her best delicacies just as they stated that with a token, participants will have an opportunity for public impact in return as well as buying great exposure.

    They listed benefits of the festival to include Direct customer engagement, the potential to reach new customers and a broader spectrum of guests, increased sales and valuable market insights, enhanced brand visibility, opportunity to connect with existing customers and uniting communities as a way of giving back.

    Other benefits include making an impact on the public to enable one to stand out from other contenders, a means of qualitative networking with other businesses and marketing of one’s business amongst others.

    The second and final day of the festival will be for awards where recognition will be given to food vendors, individuals and restaurants in Ireland and Africa that have carved a niche for themselves in the food sector.
    There will also be discussants to highlight the beauty of traditional foods as an essential part of Irish and African heritage and cultural identity as well as discuss the world vision of a global goal to end hunger for every man, woman and child around the world.

    The last day of the event, according to Princess Pamela Ogunwusi, the festival’s Head of Operations, will also feature music and dance from around the world positing that they believe food serves as a vital tool in establishing and expressing relationships in every society.

    ” We believe that at the close of the event, the food festival would fulfil the objectives of projecting and fuelling culinary creativity, promoting the cultural acceptance of food across different countries and communities, elevating food brands’ presence in Ireland, making people understand the cultural significance of food from different countries, expanding professional network , fostering community cohesion and a sense of belonging as well as raising awareness of how food is an essential part of every culture”, she concluded.

    Speaking on the invitation, the President of Africans in Diaspora Chamber of Commerce (ADICC), Ambassador Dr. Edward Olutoke described the food festival as a novel innovation that will afford Nigerians and other Africans the rare opportunity to not only get adequate exposure on European and continental cuisines but will also enable them to interact and network with other chefs from across the globe for business expansion.

    He extended invitation to those interested in being part of the festival to contact his office immediately for more details and official invitation.

  • Breaking Boundaries: How Supa Komando’s ‘Jump Off’ TVC Revolutionizes The World of Advertising

    Breaking Boundaries: How Supa Komando’s ‘Jump Off’ TVC Revolutionizes The World of Advertising

    As a digital native, you have probably experienced the new Supa Komando TV commercial, “The Jump Off,” which has ignited numerous conversations and created a deafening buzz on social media.

    Supa Komando energy drink has taken the advertising world by storm with its innovative and creative “The Jump Off” TV commercial. Featuring well-known Big Brother Naija stars – Cross, Erica, Saskay, and Yousef – and the energy ‘Gad’ himself, Do2tun, the commercial is captivating, and the storyline is enthralling: a daring heist, a dire decision, and a daring stunt, all in sixty seconds! What’s even more impressive is the fact that the advert still achieved its main purpose of delivering its key promotional message within a limited amount of time.

    The commercial is truly a visual wonder; each scene is adrenaline-inducing, and the bass drums pace the rhythm of racing hearts as viewers anticipate what’s next. Every frame is captured with precision; the cinematography is exquisite, acting dramatic, the visuals bold, and the final stunt (The Jump-off) is executed with perfection. All of these elements successfully keep viewers at the edge of their seats and roaring with applause as the commercial rounds up with its searing call to action: Fire on!

    Looking into their past, it is discovered that the Supa Komando marketing team has worked on similar projects. The last advertising material from the brand was deployed in 2021, called “Girl on Fire,” which featured BBNaija star Erica Nlewedim as a secret agent and stuntman caught in a tussle with her opponents. This gained massive views on YouTube.

    For this latest commercial, it can be concluded that Supa Komando has successfully revolutionized the usual “cut-and-dry” approach to advertising. Instead of opting for the simplistic and traditional format, the commercial’s deference towards a more indirect yet captivating approach is what led to its success. It is a combination of storyline relatability, suspense, and perfect audiovisual balancing that hooks any audience, heightening their emotions and leaving them asking for more.

    The amount of engagement the advert has gained in the past few days tells one fact: this commercial, with its captivating and creative elements, has exceeded the constraints and boundaries of advertising, leaving a lasting impact on its viewers and redefining the industry’s standards. This advert may likely be the catalyst that ignites the advertising world, transforming its strategies and leaving it forever changed.

    Safe to say, Supa Komando’s groundbreaking campaign has set a new precedent for advertising, sparking conversations and inspiring other brands to think outside the box.

  • Hilda Baci Hackathon: Queen Temitope Ogunwusi Joins Nigerians To Cheer New Chef Record Breaker To Victory

    Monday, 15 May 2023 would be an unforgettable day for the Super Chef, Hilda Baci who defied all odds to break the Guinness Book of World Record and create a new one as the longest cook-a-thon.

    Hilda Baci was on the edge cooking nonstop since 4 p.m. on Thursday, 11 May, and on Monday, she made her way to victory by 8pm when the 27-year-old chef set a new world record.

    Her Regal Majesty Queen Temitope Enitan Ogunwusi showering prayers on Hilda Baci on her way to attain the Guinness Bokk of Word Record on Monday

    Though the road to this feat was not easy, but the Akwa Ibom State-born chef received motivation from Nigerians who ensured that they cheered her all the way to attain the record.

    One of such Nigerians is Her Regal Majesty Queen Temitope Enitan Ogunwusi, who was physically presence at the Amore Gardens in Lekki to give Hilda Baci, the extraordinary chef a motivational push for her to endure to the end.

    Watch Queen Temitope Ogunwusi cheering Hilda Baci to victory

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsRCKARoPFb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MmJiY2I4NDBkZg==

    Queen Ogunwusi wrote: “An unforgettable day at the Hilda Baci Hackathon, I had the immense pleasure of visiting and cheering on the extraordinary chef, Hilda, as she attempts to break the Guinness World Record.

    “Join me as I present a special gift, a staff of Royalty as the queen of the kitchen to the talented Hilda in recognition of her culinary prowess and unwavering dedication. Her passion and determination have captivated us all, and I’m honored to be a part of this historic event.

    “Hilda, you inspire us with your incredible journey and pursuit of excellence! Let’s celebrate your achievements and continue to push the boundaries of culinary greatness together.

  • FAO Makes Case For Meat, Eggs, Milk As ‘Essential Source Of Nutrients’

    This is particularly vital during key life stages such as pregnancy and lactation, childhood, adolescence and older age, says the study, entitled  Contribution of terrestrial animal source food to healthy diets for improved nutrition and health outcomes.

    Comprehensive analysis

    It’s the most comprehensive analysis yet of the benefits and risks of consuming animal source foods and is based on data and evidence from more than 500 scientific papers and some 250 policy documents, said FAO.

    A plate of bacon and eggs with a glass of milk on the side, can provide a range of important so-called “macro-nutrients”, such as protein, fats and carbs, and also micro-nutrients that are hard to find in plants, “in the required quality and quantity”, said FAO.

    High quality protein, a number of essential fatty-acids – together with iron, calcium, zinc, selenium, Vitamin B12, choline and bioactive compounds like carnitine, creatine, taurine – are provided by foods from farm and other livestock animals, and have important health and developmental functions.

    Iron and vitamin A are among the most common micronutrient deficiencies around the world, particularly in children and pregnant women, FAO notes.

    More than one in two preschool children (some 372 million) and 1.2 billion women of child-bearing age, according to a study published in the Lancet, suffer from the lack of at least one of three micronutrients: iron, vitamin A or zinc.

    Three quarters of these children live in South and East Asia, the Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa.

    Regional varieties

    Not surprisingly, according to the report, consumption of animal-based food from animals varies widely around the world. A person in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for example, consumes on average only 160 grammes of milk a year, while your average Montenegro resident, consumes 338 kilogrammes.

    Looking at eggs, a person in South Sudan consumes 2g on average a year compared to an average 25kg for a person in Hong Kong. The average person in Burundi consumes just 3kg of meat a year, compared to 136kg for someone living in Hong Kong, said FAO.

    Meat and drink for the SDGs

    If consumed as part of an appropriate diet, animal source foods can help with meeting the nutrition targets endorsed by the World Health Assembly and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to reducing stunting, wasting among children under five, low birthweight, anaemia in women of reproductive age, and obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in adults, FAO adds.

    But at the same time, the livestock sector “must contribute to addressing a range of challenges,” writes FAO Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo and Chief Economist Maximo Torero Cullen in a foreword to the report.

    Environmental hazards

    “These include issues related to the environment” such as deforestation, CO2 emissions, unsustainable water and land use, pollution, and animal health related issues such as diseases and antimicrobial resistance; and livestock related issues like zoonotic and food-borne disease risks, said the FAO deputy chief.

    Red meat alert

    The report makes it clear that consumption of even low levels of processed red meat can increase the risk of mortality and chronic disease outcomes, including cardiovascular diseases and colorectal cancer.

    However, consuming unprocessed red meat in moderate amounts “may have minimal risk “, said FAO, “but is considered safe with regards to chronic disease outcomes.”

    Meanwhile the evidence of any links between milk, eggs and poultry consumption in healthy adults and diseases such as coronary heart disease, strokes and hypertension is inconclusive (for milk) or non-significant (for eggs and poultry), said FAO.

  • Peru Grows 6,000 Different Kinds Of Potatoes

    Peru Grows 6,000 Different Kinds Of Potatoes

    The Ambassador of Peru to Ghana, Abel Antonio Cárdenas Tuppia, has disclosed the different types of potatoes grown in his country.

    In an exclusive interview with KMJ on Prime Morning, a Ghanaian radio programme, the Ambassador revealed there are 6,000 different kinds of potatoes produced, as the country is the origin of potatoes.

    But according to him, about 3,000 out of the 6,000 potatoes are poisonous.

    “We have 6,000 kinds of potatoes. From those 6,000 kinds of potatoes, 3,000 are edible. The other 3,000 are poisonous. From those 3, 000 edibles, you can find on a regular day in a market around 800 varieties of potatoes,” he revealed.

    Due to the variety of food grown in the country, some studies indicate that one can eat a three-course meal in Peru and may not repeat it in 30 years.

    As the second country with the most record of different kinds of food, he said, “That’s why we Peruvians like to eat because our gastronomy is very varied. If you eat a Peruvian dish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you can eat without repeating the food for the next 30 years of your life.”

    As a result, he stated that Peruvians are always cautious when purchasing potatoes in the market.

    Being the third largest country in South America, Peru is blessed with different kinds of food production within its territories, which provide the citizens with numerous types of food.

    For this reason, he noticed that Ghana and Peru have similarities when it comes to food upon his arrival and tasting the Ghanaian dishes. He stated that his country’s food is heavily influenced by Africa.

    Although he has missed the Peruvian dishes, he has loved and enjoyed the Ghanaian meals regardless. He commended Ghana as a country for having been blessed with fertile land and hospitality, giving it an advantage over other countries.

    “You have a blessed land. Everything you put here is going to grow. You have great food and great places to go, but before all that, what you really have are nice people. Ghanaians in general are very welcoming. You’re nice and good from the heart. That is something that can be used as an advantage,” he said.

    This, according to the ambassador, is not common in other countries, admitting that Ghanaians are authentic in nature.

    Meanwhile, the Ambassador has mentioned some Ghanaian dishes he has tasted and loved throughout his three-year stay in the country. These include “Kontomire” (Palava Source), groundnut soup with “Omotuo” (rice ball), “Tuo Zaafi” with “Ayoyo” soup, “Fufu” with goat meat soup, and “Banku” with “Okro” soup.

    Having tasted most Ghanaian food, he considered the country as having a very good gastronomy. He said, “Your gastronomy is very well done.”

  • 25m Nigerians At High Risk Of Food Insecurity In 2023

    25m Nigerians At High Risk Of Food Insecurity In 2023

    Nearly 25 million Nigerians are at risk of facing hunger between June and August 2023 (lean season) if urgent action is not taken, according to the October 2022 Cadre Harmonisé, a Government led and UN-supported food and nutrition analysis carried out twice a year.

    This is a projected increase from the estimated 17 million people currently at risk of food insecurity. Continued conflict, climate change, inflation and rising food prices are key drivers of this alarming trend. Food access has been affected by persistent violence in the north-east states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) and armed banditry and kidnapping in states such as Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna, Benue and Niger. According to the National Emergency Management Agency, widespread flooding in the 2022 rainy season damaged more than 676,000 hectares of farmlands, which diminished harvests and increased the risk of food insecurity for families across the country. The flooding is one of the effects of climate change and variability impacting Nigeria. More extreme weather patterns affecting food security are anticipated in the future.

    Of the 17 million people who are currently food insecure, 3 million are in the northeast BAY states. Without immediate action, this figure is expected to increase to 4.4 million in the lean season. This includes highly vulnerable displaced populations and returnees who are already struggling to survive a large-scale humanitarian crisis in which 8.3 million people need assistance.

    “The food security and nutrition situation across Nigeria is deeply concerning,” said Mr. Matthias Schmale, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria. “I have visited nutrition stabilization centres filled with children who are fighting to stay alive. We must act now to ensure they and others get the lifesaving support they need.”

    Children are the most vulnerable to food insecurity. Approximately 6 of the 17 million food-insecure Nigerians today are children under 5 living in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara states. There is a serious risk of mortality among children attributed to acute malnutrition. In the BAY states alone, the number of children suffering from acute malnutrition is expected to increase from 1.74 million in 2022 to 2 million in 2023.

    UNICEF, working with the government and partners such as MSF and ALIMA, is investing in scaling up preventive nutrition interventions, while ensuring that vulnerable children have access to life-saving nutrition services. In 2022, UNICEF with partners was able to reach approximately 650,000 children with life-saving nutrition services across the six states mentioned above.

    The northwest region, around Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states, is an increasing food insecurity and malnutrition hotspot. An estimated 2.9 million people are currently critically food insecure (Cadre Harmonisé Phase 3 or worse.) This figure is projected to increase to 4.3 million in the lean season if urgent action is not taken.

    With partners, FAO has been supporting the government to restore livelihoods in the northeast and northwest regions. This includes livestock production, crop production, homestead micro gardening, value chain development and aquaculture.

    The United Nations is calling on the Government of Nigeria, the donor community, and public and private stakeholders to urgently commit resources and implement mitigation measures to save lives and prevent a potentially catastrophic food security and nutrition situation. Support for vulnerable families across the country is needed today, not tomorrow.

  • Global Food Crisis Put Millions Of Young Lives At Risk

    Global Food Crisis Put Millions Of Young Lives At Risk

    Five UN agencies on Thursday called for urgent action to protect millions of malnourished children in the 15 countries hardest hit by the unprecedented food and nutrition crisis.

    More than 30 million under-fives are suffering from wasting, or acute malnutrition, brought on by conflict, climate shocks, ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rising costs of living. 

    Children with the condition have weakened immune systems and are at higher risk of dying from common childhood diseases. 

    Eight million are severely wasted – the deadliest form of under nutrition – meaning they are 12 times more likely to die than children who get enough to eat. 

    Crisis could worsen 

    The appeal was issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); the UN refugee agency, UNHCR; the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). 

    They urged the international community to accelerate progress on the Global Action Plan on Child Wasting to prevent the growing crisis from becoming a tragedy. 

    Qu Dongyu, the FAO Director-General, warned that the situation is likely to deteriorate even further this year. 

    “We must ensure availability, affordability and accessibility of healthy diets for young children, girls, and pregnant and lactating women. We need urgent action now to save lives, and to tackle the root causes of acute malnutrition, working together across all sectors,” he said. 

    Five priority areas 

    The Global Action Plan aims to prevent, detect and treat acute malnutrition among children in the countries worst affected by the cascading crisis: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Yemen. 

    It addresses the need for a multi-sectoral approach and highlights priority actions through maternal and child nutrition policy shifts, aimed at the food, health, water and sanitation, and social protection systems.  

    With needs mounting, the UN agencies have outlined five specific actions that will be effective in addressing acute malnutrition in countries affected by conflict and natural disasters, and in humanitarian emergencies.  

    Analysis, prevention, assistance 

    They include enhancing analysis of the determinants of child wasting; ensuring essential maternal and child nutrition interventions for early prevention, such as regular screening, and introducing specialized nutritious food products as part of emergency food assistance. 

    “At UNHCR we are working hard to improve analysis and targeting to ensure that we reach children who are most at risk, including internally displaced and refugee populations,” said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. 

    Scaling up these actions as a coordinated package will be critical both for prevention and treatment, and for saving lives, the partners stressed. 

    “The global food crisis is also a health crisis, anda vicious cycle: malnutrition leads to disease, and disease leads to malnutrition,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General. 

    “Urgent support is needed now in the hardest hit countries to protect children’s lives and health, including ensuring critical access to healthy foods and nutrition services, especially for women and children.”