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Nutrition International doubles down on commitments to address malnutrition in African Union member states
February 27, 2023
African Union and Nutrition International join efforts to end malnutrition in Africa
A memorandum of understanding between the African Union and Nutrition International further strengthens collaborative efforts toward a shared vision to end hunger, poverty and malnutrition in Africa.
Posted on April 21, 2022
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The African Union (AU) and Nutrition International have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), toward a shared vision to end hunger, poverty and malnutrition in Africa.
The MoU was signed at AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by H.E. Minata Samate Cessouma the Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the African Union Commission and Mr. Joel C. Spicer the Nutrition International’s President and CEO.
Through the MoU, the AU and Nutrition International have agreed to work together in several areas, including nutrition advocacy and in tracking the progress made by member states in the implementation of the 2014 Malabo Declaration on Nutrition security to achieve inclusive economic growth and sustainable development in Africa. Other areas include; technical assistance to enhance the capacity of member states in domestic resource mobilization, data collection and analysis in Africa – as well as matters on adolescent nutrition, anaemia and integration of social safety net programs.
“This MOU further strengthens the AU and Nutrition International collaborative efforts in prioritising and investing in nutrition both at the continental and national levels through a multisectoral and interdisciplinary approach and profoundly during this AU Year on Nutrition and beyond.
— H.E. Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission
Speaking at the signing occasion, H.E. Minata Samate Cessouma acknowledged and appreciated the ongoing engagements with Nutrition International. “This MOU further strengthens the AU and Nutrition International collaborative efforts in prioritising and investing in nutrition both at the continental and national levels through a multisectoral and interdisciplinary approach and profoundly during this AU Year on Nutrition and beyond,” she said.
“Malnutrition is an urgent problem that is imposing a heavy tax on the hopes and dreams of millions of people in Africa, particularly women, children, and adolescents,” said Mr. Spicer. “To face the growing threats of COVID-19, conflict, and climate and to build a strong and resilient future for Africa, nutrition must be prioritized. The key ingredient is leadership – and that is the reason we are excited to formally partner with the AU to advance the nutrition agenda in support of the Year of Nutrition,” he noted.
The partnership could not have been timelier as 2022 was endorsed as the year of nutrition dedicated to strengthening the fight against malnutrition in all its forms in Africa under the theme “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 Capital Development”. The MOU will be operationalized through a joint action plan including the year of nutrition interventions and commitments.