Malnutrition is the leading cause of death and ill health worldwide since 2020  –> Global Nutrition Report.

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) Report 2024 calls on all governments to:

• Increase investments in proven, sustainable, cost-effective interventions to prevent child malnutrition focusing on the critical first 1,000 days. Good nutrition in early childhood is a game changer for children and nations.  

(In Namibia, the RightStart Campaign needs to be revived!)

• Adopt fiscal and regulatory policies to promote access to nutritious, safe, affordable and sustainable foods for children and their families and discourage the production, marketing and consumption of nutrient-poor, ultra-processed foods and beverages.  

(In Namibia, we should consider introducing a sugar tax!)

Namibia’s Cost of Hunger (COHA) Report (NPC, 2022) estimates current stunting rates to be as high as 34.4%, and Namibia loses over 11 billion NAD (= 5.22% of its GDP) every year, based on 2016 data. Losses now (in 2024) are actually much higher.

The Fill the Nutrient Gap Report (NPC, 2021) shows (pp. 19-20) that a family of five needs to spend at least N$ 3,131 per month on food items alone to meet their minimal nutritional requirements, which most Namibian households cannot afford.