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From the Field
Sept 2008: Malnutrition
HUMAN RIGHTS – Worldwide malnutrition at its worst
Malnutrition and undernutrition result from a global imbalance that has lead to recent alarm in political circles (with pressure from the speculative push to finance raw material and consumer markets) especially among those where access to basic food resources has been undermined.
When the cost of bread rises excessively, revolts break out for tortillas in Mexico, and mud cookies are baked in Haiti, then we know that we are facing the disastrous effects of a global financial maneuver that threatens the health and even the lives of a large portion of the global population. Even now, according to the Health World Organization, half of all human beings – about 3 billion people – suffer from some form of malnutrition, a word with various, but always worrisome, meanings. In fact, this term is used to indicate an imbalance in the absorption of nutrients and other factors necessary for a healthy life; this could be undernutrition – lack of proteins vitamins or minerals, or overnutrition. In developing countries, one person in five suffers from the worst form of malnutrition: hunger.
Grains to feed livestock rather than for human consumption
It is well known that malnutrition is due mainly to unequal access to food resources rather than to insufficient food production. In fact, current agricultural production could easily nourish the entire world population. The problem is certainly underestimated, considering that a large portion of food resources is diverted to animal feed instead of being utilized as food for the hungry.
Agricultural strategies adopted in recent years have resulted in complete failure. Public and private institutions have actively promoted large-scale cattle ranching in developing countries for production of meat and milk, without considering that farmed animals consume more calories than they produce in the form of meat, milk and eggs. When the quarrel about biofuels and conversion of crops for their production had not yet started, it was already evident that cereals were produced and introduced in the market in large part to raise cattle rather than to satisfy human nutritional necessities.
Official statistics, from FAO (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and WHO (the World Health Organization) in particular, clearly point out that a shift in cereal production for human consumption to animal feed has forced developing countries to import grains at high cost, greatly worsening the problem of malnutrition. In fact, in developing countries, staple foods are mainly cereals and legumes, which provide the majority of carbohydrates and proteins necessary for survival.
In a paradox, this diet if adopted in industrialized countries would result in great health advantages, but it is now overlooked even in countries of traditional origin. Those who can afford it prefer a more occidental diet, with the majority of protein derived from meat.
Food subsidies help donor countries and undermine local economies
Non-governmental international organizations that fight world hunger are in ferment to counter the steady increase in basic food prices. Oxfam and CARE, for example, are running worldwide campaigns to raise awareness and increase political pressure. In fact, the forecasts of their experts indicate that predicted Eastern and Western African tragedies could be avoided by immediate action on the part of governments of wealthy countries. “Food aids can save many lives”, says Ariane Arpa, responsible for the Spanish Intermón Oxfam, “Unfortunately, the interests of Western governments, tied with those of powerful agricultural groups and packaging/shipping companies, frequently cause aid to arrive too late, at very high prices, often destabilizing weak local economies”.
The humanitarian organization Oxfam has posted suggestions to remedy these issues at www.oxfam.org. In summary the suggestions are: increase donor as well as local government investments in small-scale agriculture (especially in sub-Saharan African countries), cut incentives for biofuel production, and convince the USA and EU to review their emergency food aid policies to prioritize assistance to countries suffering the most serious consequences.
ANGELO MIOTTO
Translated by Ada Buvoli
Malnutrition and undernutrition result from a global imbalance that has lead to recent alarm in political circles (with pressure from the speculative push to finance raw material and consumer markets) especially among those where access to basic food resources has been undermined.
When the cost of bread rises excessively, revolts break out for tortillas in Mexico, and mud cookies are baked in Haiti, then we know that we are facing the disastrous effects of a global financial maneuver that threatens the health and even the lives of a large portion of the global population. Even now, according to the Health World Organization, half of all human beings – about 3 billion people – suffer from some form of malnutrition, a word with various, but always worrisome, meanings. In fact, this term is used to indicate an imbalance in the absorption of nutrients and other factors necessary for a healthy life; this could be undernutrition – lack of proteins vitamins or minerals, or overnutrition. In developing countries, one person in five suffers from the worst form of malnutrition: hunger.
Grains to feed livestock rather than for human consumption
It is well known that malnutrition is due mainly to unequal access to food resources rather than to insufficient food production. In fact, current agricultural production could easily nourish the entire world population. The problem is certainly underestimated, considering that a large portion of food resources is diverted to animal feed instead of being utilized as food for the hungry.
Agricultural strategies adopted in recent years have resulted in complete failure. Public and private institutions have actively promoted large-scale cattle ranching in developing countries for production of meat and milk, without considering that farmed animals consume more calories than they produce in the form of meat, milk and eggs. When the quarrel about biofuels and conversion of crops for their production had not yet started, it was already evident that cereals were produced and introduced in the market in large part to raise cattle rather than to satisfy human nutritional necessities.
Official statistics, from FAO (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and WHO (the World Health Organization) in particular, clearly point out that a shift in cereal production for human consumption to animal feed has forced developing countries to import grains at high cost, greatly worsening the problem of malnutrition. In fact, in developing countries, staple foods are mainly cereals and legumes, which provide the majority of carbohydrates and proteins necessary for survival.
In a paradox, this diet if adopted in industrialized countries would result in great health advantages, but it is now overlooked even in countries of traditional origin. Those who can afford it prefer a more occidental diet, with the majority of protein derived from meat.
Food subsidies help donor countries and undermine local economies
Non-governmental international organizations that fight world hunger are in ferment to counter the steady increase in basic food prices. Oxfam and CARE, for example, are running worldwide campaigns to raise awareness and increase political pressure. In fact, the forecasts of their experts indicate that predicted Eastern and Western African tragedies could be avoided by immediate action on the part of governments of wealthy countries. “Food aids can save many lives”, says Ariane Arpa, responsible for the Spanish Intermón Oxfam, “Unfortunately, the interests of Western governments, tied with those of powerful agricultural groups and packaging/shipping companies, frequently cause aid to arrive too late, at very high prices, often destabilizing weak local economies”.
The humanitarian organization Oxfam has posted suggestions to remedy these issues at www.oxfam.org. In summary the suggestions are: increase donor as well as local government investments in small-scale agriculture (especially in sub-Saharan African countries), cut incentives for biofuel production, and convince the USA and EU to review their emergency food aid policies to prioritize assistance to countries suffering the most serious consequences.
ANGELO MIOTTO
Translated by Ada Buvoli
© Emergency Life Support for Civilian War Victims
