MEDIA RELEASE PR37619
GAIN's Effectiveness in Reducing Malnutrition Confirmed in its New Annual Report
GENEVA, Dec. 18 / PR Newswire-AsiaNet / --
GAIN - the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition released today its
2008-2009 Annual Report. The report confirms the effectiveness of GAIN's work
in reducing malnutrition in high-burden countries. GAIN's national food
fortification projects are reaching more than 200 million people, including
more than 108.3 million women and young children. "Our attention to measuring
the impact of our programs has brought a more rigorous approach to program
design," said Marc Van Ameringen, Executive Director of GAIN. "Our
multi-stakeholder national food fortification projects are reaching large
scale populations."
According to FAO, more than 1 billion people will suffer from hunger in
2009. "The current global financial crisis has aggravated an already severe
situation of world hunger and poverty," said Jay Naidoo, chair of GAIN Board.
"GAIN believes solutions exist to improve nutrition for those most at risk.
Improving the diet, particularly of mothers and children, is integral to
addressing the global targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)."
Infants from conception up to two years of age are the most vulnerable to
the long term negative consequences of malnutrition. The first twenty four
months of life represent the period of highest vulnerability but also the
greatest window of opportunity for investments in healthy development. This
year, GAIN's Infant and Young Child Nutrition Program (IYCN) awarded grants
in Bangladesh, Cote d'Ivoire and India to produce and deliver high quality
multi-nutrient powders and complementary food to vulnerable children and
low-income families. The goal of this program is to improve nutrition and
reduce anemia in at least ten million children aged 6 to 24 months old.
Media contact :
Frederique Tissandier
Tel.: +41-22-749-18-45
E-Mail: ftissandier@gainhealth.org
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