FAO calls for bold investments as nutrition security concerns mount across Africa

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has urged African leaders at the AU Summit (15 to 16 February) to make bold investments to combat hunger and malnutrition across the continent. Reliefweb reveals food security remains high across Africa with mixed trends in food prices and trade due to good harvests and high costs.

Meanwhile, with the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) funding freeze, Kenya’s Ministry of Health is seeking KSh 426.8 billion (US$ 3.3 billion) to fill the gap.

Call for investments

The Director-General of FAO, Qu Dongyu, stressed the need for investments in food and nutrition as the world struggles to meet Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and global nutrition targets.

He applauded the African Development Bank’s support and nutrition-smart investment portfolios in agriculture and health while highlighting the recent adoption of the new Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program Strategy and its 10-Year Action Plan. 

US withdrawal has also increased China’s influence in affected regions.Additionally, he believes next month’s Nutrition for Growth Summit will drive momentum to gather financial and political commitment to strengthen nutrition actions.

Update on African food security

Reliefweb says food security levels remained high across East, Southern, and Western parts except in Zimbabwe and Nigeria, declining 11.76% and 3.31% last month.

Food consumption levels have increased compared to last year, but 9.5 million people across Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda are in “crisis.” South Sudan makes up 64% alone.

Reliefweb shares that Eastern Africa’s maize prices vary by country, with Rwanda and South Sudan seeing notable price increases and Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda seeing lower prices. 

Macroeconomic challenges, conflict, and limited supply all contribute to high prices. The information provider adds that Southern Africa maize prices remain high due to drought, fuel shortages, and limited forex availability. 

Rice, millet, and sorghum prices remain higher but stable, with Nigeria experiencing increasing prices.

Kenya funding gap 

Kenya’s healthcare system is facing the negative impacts of USAID’s funding withdrawal. The UK network for organizations Bond says most USAID-funded programs are concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, consequences are also felt in Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific.

Bond reveals that the US withdrawal has also increased China’s influence in affected regions.

Amid this, Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has contributed US$5 million to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to boost Kenya’s food security and the resilience of vulnerable families.

“This contribution comes at a time when people in the arid and semi-arid regions face the risk of both droughts and floods, exacerbating food insecurity and increasing humanitarian needs. This project will equip communities with the tools and resources to prepare and build sustainable livelihoods,” says Lauren Landis, WFP’s country director in Kenya.

WFP says the fund will support more than 158,000 people, including smallholder farmers, pastoralists, women, and youth.