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Underlying Causes of Malnutrition

Underlying Causes of Malnutrition

Poverty

Poverty is far from being eradicated. During the last two decades, the number of people affected by extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa has nearly doubled, from 164 million in 1982 to some 313 million as of 2002. Poverty alone does not lead to malnutrition, but it seriously affects the availability of adequate amounts of nutritious food for the most vulnerable populations. Over 90 percent of malnourished people live in developing countries.

Lack of access to food

Most major food and nutrition crises do not occur because of a lack of food, but rather because people are too poor to obtain enough food. Non-availability of food on markets, difficult access to markets due to lack of means of transportation and insufficient financial resources are all factors contributing to the food insecurity of the most vulnerable populations. People are increasingly dependent on international markets for all or part of their food supplies, particularly between harvest periods. Many people are increasingly vulnerable due to fluctuations in the prices, as was recently illustrated during the global food crisis.

Disease

Certain illnesses and infections, such as tuberculosis, measles and diarrhoea, amongst others, are directly linked to acute malnutrition. A combination of disease and malnutrition weakens the metabolism, forming a vicious circle of infection and undernourishment, leading to vulnerability to illness. HIV and AIDS has become a leading cause of acute malnutrition in developing countries. A child infected with HIV is more vulnerable to acute malnutrition than a healthy child. Anti-retroviral drugs are more effective when combined with adequate, regular food intake. So ensuring a healthy diet is an important aspect of HIV control and treatment.

If the HIV-infected child becomes acutely malnourished, her/his diminished nutritional state will increase the likelihood of infections, and may lower the effectiveness of medications — either anti-retroviral treatment or for other illnesses and infections. When severely malnourished, an individual may not be able to tolerate medications at all. The combination of acute malnutrition and HIV and AIDS thus considerably increases the chances of morbidity, placing the child at a higher risk of death.

Conflicts

Conflicts have a direct impact on food security, drastically compromising access to food. Often forced to flee as violence escalates, people uprooted by conflict lose access to their farms and businesses, or other means of local food production and markets. Abandoned fields and farms no longer provide food to broader distribution circuits. As a result, food supplies may be cut off to distributors, and the many populations dependent on them may be unable to obtain sufficient food.

Climate change

In the space of 30 years, the number of natural disasters — droughts, cyclones, floods, etc. — linked to climate change has increased substantially. The effects of climate change are often dramatic, devastating areas which are already vulnerable. Infrastructure is damaged or destroyed; diseases spread quickly; people can no longer grow crops or raise livestock.

According to UN studies in over 40 developing countries, the decline in agricultural production caused either directly or indirectly by climate change could dramatically increase the number of people suffering from hunger in the coming years.

Lack of safe drinking water

Water is synonymous with life. Lack of potable water, poor sanitation and dangerous hygiene practices increase vulnerability to infectious and water-borne diseases, which are direct causes of acute malnutrition.

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Human resources

Develops and applies the mission’s human resources policy and is responsible for all local staff management matters such as salary policies, recruitment and evaluations etc..

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Head of mission

Positions the missions overall strategy, coordinates programme implementation, ensures continuity of finance, organizes allocation of available resources and supervises the missions staff.

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Nutrition & Health

Runs supplementary feeding centers and implementing nutrition surveys, designing nutrition programmes for supplementary or therapeutic feeding centers, managing and training national staff, collecting information on malnutrition and food security.

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Food Security

Distributes food supplies and equipment to populations in need and provides them with the resources they require to produce their own food. Provides training in modern agricultural techniques in order to boost the capacities of the populations concerned.

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Logistics

Plans, oversees and handles procurement, purchasing and supply of stock for the missions and for its own operations.. Handles the maintenance of office and transport equipment. Analyzes and monitors the security situation and security procedures. Heads of Base have the added responsibility of managing the base staff including all HR related issues.

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Finance administration

Oversees the mission’s accounts, takes care of budget administration matters, cash management and draws attention to any eventual financial risks that might materialize.

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Water & Sanitation

Ensures emergency access to safe drinking water and overall sanitation. Finds and taps underground and ground level water sources (boreholes and wells, water distribution networks).

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Coordination

Participates in drawing up the missions’ strategy, makes sure that all programmes implemented respect ACFs codes and standards and ensures the safety and security of all staff and missions assets.

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Première moisson

ACF is proud to be associated with the Galette du Monde, a product from Première Moisson, developed in collaboration with the nutrition department of the Université de Montreal. It consists of a delicious and nutritious cookie, which supports the fight against hunger while promoting good health. For each galette sold, Première Moisson will donate $0,25 to our organization. Come to Première Moisson and savour this tasty treat, high in humanitarian content!

New Roots Herbal

Support Action Against Hunger by purchasing New Roots Herbal products featured in the Choose to Care initiative. New Roots Herbal is a leading manufacturer and distributor of high quality natural health products. The Choose to Care initiative donates a percentage of sales to various charities, through a removable tag attached to select New Roots Herbal products. To support us, simply purchase one of the participating products from your local health food store, remove the donation tag and select ACF as the recipient charity for your donation. With New Roots Herbal, choosing to help has never been so easy!

Nourish tea

Drink tea - fight Hunger!

Action Against Hunger is a proud partner of Nourishtea, a premium loose tea company dedicated to bringing the finest loose tea leaves from around the world to your cup. Nourishtea supports estates that are sustainable, ethical and abide by fair labour practices. To further their commitment to sustainability, the company also donates 5% of its proceeds to programs providing nutrition and hydration to those in need, with an emphasis on the young – wherever they may be.

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