THE MALNUTRITION CRISIS IS PREVENTABLE

As many Canadians prepare for upcoming holiday festivities and feasts, a malnutrition crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 global pandemic, continues to steal away the lives of millions.

In fact, over 2 million children under five years of age in low- and middle-income countries die of malnutrition-related causes per year. Another 149 million children under age five are stunted from chronic undernourishment. Economically, malnutrition costs the global economy $3.5 trillion each year.

Further, due in part to the COVID19 pandemic, this crisis is predicted to worsen, with women and children most severely affected.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way. The malnutrition crisis is preventable. Specifically, to solve this crisis, high-income countries such as Canada must come together and increase their investments in global nutrition.

Thus, at the upcoming Nutrition for Growth Summit on Dec. 7-8, 2021, I challenge Canada to stand up for the human right to be nourished, by increasing its initial investment by a minimum of CAD$330 million over five years, with CAD$100 million of this funding directed to the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children, and Adolescents.

For the readers, I challenge you to contact your MP to advocate for Canadian investment in global nutrition. Garrison Dyck, Edmonton, Alta.