{"id":66865,"date":"2024-10-16T09:11:54","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T07:11:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doctorswithafrica.org\/en\/?p=66865"},"modified":"2024-10-16T09:11:54","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T07:11:54","slug":"world-food-day-the-right-to-food-for-a-better-life-and-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doctorswithafrica.org\/it\/world-food-day-the-right-to-food-for-a-better-life-and-future\/","title":{"rendered":"World Food Day The Right to Food for a Better Life and Future"},"content":{"rendered":"

World Food Day is celebrated every year on October 16 to commemorate the founding of FAO, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, established in Qu\u00e9bec, Canada, in 1945. The date has now become a global event aimed at raising public awareness about one of the most urgent challenges of our time: ensuring fair and sustainable access to food for all. This year\u2019s message, chosen to draw attention to the 733 million people facing hunger<\/strong> worldwide, is \u201cThe Right to Food for a Better Life and Future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00abI arrived at the emergency room cause the baby could not stop vomiting, had diarrhea and high fever. When we got admitted, they diagnosed a severe malnutrition and gave her oxygen. We stayed 24h at the emergency department before being transferred to the paediatric ward where my baby started the treatment with therapeutic milk first and later with PlumpyNut\u00bb said Christine from Pujehun, Sierra Leone<\/strong>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Lack of access to food and poor diet leads directly to malnutrition<\/strong>, currently affecting 2.8 billion people worldwide<\/strong> (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank Group, 2023). This remains a chronic issue in some areas of the world and contributes to 45% of global deaths<\/strong> among children under the age of 5. In sub-Saharan Africa, several factors contribute to the high malnutrition rates: armed conflicts, climate shocks, and economic crises, all of which severely impact the poorest and most vulnerable populations.<\/p>\n

Malnutrition is caused by a lack of essential nutrients. Children who suffer from it experience stunted growth<\/strong> and poor physical and mental development<\/strong>. Furthermore, due to weakened immune systems, they are highly vulnerable to infections and diseases.<\/p>\n

\u00abMost of our patients are malnourished – says Annachiara Zin, CUAMM pediatrician in Pujehun, Sierra Leone.<\/strong> The district\u2019s economic situation, lack of food availability, and poor education on the issue are risks factors that compound the prevalence of malnutrition cases, significantly affecting infant mortality. We often receive critical patients who arrive with complications that could have been prevented with timely intervention\u00bb adds Zin. This reminds us that an integrated approach is necessary, acting both clinically, with dedicated hospital services, and at the community level, building trust and facilitating access to health services.\u00bb<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The 1,000 days<\/strong> from the beginning of a woman’s pregnancy to her child’s second birthday\u00a0are some of the most critical for human nutrition and growth<\/strong>. However, at-risk groups more generally include children under five, adolescents, pregnant or breastfeeding women, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses. The most vulnerable people are often forced to consume only basic or low-cost foods\u2014often poorly nutritious\u2014while others lack access to fresh or diverse food items or do not have the necessary information to adopt a healthy diet.<\/p>\n