This UN initiative seeks to reduce chronic malnutrition by a third globally

The global economy is being hit hard by the effects of malnutrition, with UNICEF reporting staggering costs of $3.5 trillion annually. Unitlife, a United Nations initiative, is on a mission to combat this crisis by advocating for investments to reduce chronic malnutrition by one-third globally. According to Unitlife, achieving this goal would not only save millions of lives but also generate approximately $417 billion in economic benefits. Assia Sidibe, the Director of the Secretariat at Unitlife, recently appeared on CNBC Africa to discuss the organization's efforts in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and how they are navigating through these unprecedented times. Sidibe stressed the importance of prioritizing malnutrition as a key element in building a sustainable future for all. She underlined the economic burden of malnutrition, particularly in developing countries, where the impact is most severe. For instance, in countries like Ethiopia, malnutrition accounted for a significant portion of the GDP, highlighting the urgency to address this issue. The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated the challenges faced by families in providing nutritious food for their children, making it essential to increase investments in combating malnutrition. Unitlife is collaborating with private sector companies in Africa to leverage innovative financing solutions towards tackling malnutrition on the continent. One example of this partnership is the upcoming campaign with Ecobank, a leading pan-African bank, to raise awareness on chronic malnutrition and mobilize resources for the cause. Sidibe emphasized the long-term consequences of malnutrition, such as permanent cognitive and physical impairments in children, stressing the need for immediate action and sustained investments. Furthermore, she highlighted the role of complementary measures that are often overlooked in addressing malnutrition, such as gender equality in agriculture and food innovation. Sidibe pointed out the gender disparity in access to productive assets and lands among women farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, stressing the need to bridge this gap to empower women as primary caretakers and decision-makers in ensuring better nutrition for their families. Additionally, she discussed innovative food fortification techniques, particularly biofortification, as a sustainable solution to enhance the nutritional quality of staple crops consumed by communities. The initiative is focused on supporting local companies to produce and distribute nutritious foods, thereby creating a sustainable impact on combating malnutrition. By addressing these key areas and mobilizing resources through strategic partnerships, Unitlife aims to make a significant contribution to reducing malnutrition and building a healthier future for generations to come.