Six Keys to the End of Hunger

“We need to learn more from the bright spots” – Lawrence Haddad, Institute for Development Studies

If combatting hunger and malnutrition around the world has previously seemed like an impossible task, Action Against Hunger’s latest series of publications – Zero Hunger - stand as proof that a considerable reduction in malnutrition is feasible, and in some cases has already been achieved, when governments and societies work together.

Successful Approaches to Reducing Malnutrition

On October 12th Action Against Hunger, in conjunction with CARE International, held a launch event and discussion on the successful approaches to reducing malnutrition. Several influential figures spoke on the successes seen in tackling undernutrition in recent years, and the factors which enabled such progress to be made. The overwhelming impression left by the discussion is that the worldwide problem of undernutrition is one which can be successfully addressed and significantly reduced when the correct approach is taken.

“Tremendous progress has been made in the fight against hunger and there has been a huge increase in the capacity of treatment,” says Frederic Mousseau, author of Phase 3 of the Zero Hunger series, noting the potential for a regional approach in the reduction of undernutrition rates.

Action Against Hunger and the Zero Hunger Vision

With 30 years of experience providing emergency response and long-term solutions to hunger in over 40 countries worldwide, Action Against Hunger is ideally placed to identify the necessary actions to bring about huge advances in the reduction of undernutrition around the world. Action Against Hunger’s Zero Hunger series identifies and explains the factors necessary to make significant progress in the reduction of malnutrition, using five case study countries as examples.  By transforming evidence-based success into effective change, real progress can be made in reducing undernutrition.

The Keys to Success

The successes experienced by Peru, Mozambique, Malawi, Bangladesh and Brazil helped to define six success factors which, in each of the cases, have combined to significant progress in the fight against hunger. His Excellency Hernan Couturier, the Ambassador of Peru, noted the “outstanding works done” by Action Against Hunger and CARE International, citing them as a “good example of concrete actions which can be achieved.” These factors are then linked to Niger’s continuing struggle with undernutrition, providing clear routes for the endemic issue to be tackled by the country, and demonstrating how the factors should be adopted in the fight against hunger worldwide.

Six Steps in the Fight Against Hunger

Strong Political Will
At the heart of a successful movement against hunger, the leaders of a country must have a strong desire and commitment to reduce malnutrition. In all five of the case studies, nutrition and food security were primary political priorities which led to specific initiatives tackling hunger and poverty. Brazil had outstanding success with CONSEA, the Food and Nutrition Security Programme under direct presidential control. Between 1994 and 2006 underweight rates of the population reduced from 13% to 1.7%, a fall so significant that it attracted considerable international recognition.

Morwenna Sullivan, Action Against Hunger’s Policy advisor says that this is “largely, (but not exclusively) due to the implementation of the Fome Zero programme: a rights-based approach, which legally binds the government to fulfill its commitments on food security. Malawi also benefitted significantly from direct presidential commitment to hunger reduction, and is one of the few countries on-track to reach its Millennium Development Goal ahead of time in 2013 if trends continue.”

The Participation of Civil Society
The commitment of governments to tackle undernutrition must be combined with the participation and ownership of civil society. When everyone from international NGO’s to small community organisations are part of the decision-making and implementation processes, greater progress can be made. In Bangladesh civil society organisations from international NGO’s to community based projects engage in policy debate and provide social safety nets in a conscious attempt to improve nutrition. Manuel Sanchez-Montero of Tripode Proyectos, who has worked with Action Against Hunger, described how “citizens have played an essential role in debate, management and making changes viable” in the success stories studied.

It’s Not Just About Access to Food
Malnutrition is an issue which impacts a range of different sectors from health and food security to education, gender and economics. Therefore, the fight against hunger must be implemented through a multisectoral approach: not just addressing the need for food, but also other factors which can contribute to higher undernutrition rates. Sanchez-Montero explained that “the issue of undernutrition has to be mainstreamed in all the sectors” for significant progress to be made. The Mozambican Food Security and Nutrition strategy stands as an example of how to combat hunger by multiple approaches. This led to an annual rate of economic growth of 8% between 1996 and 2008, and a fall in child underweight rates from 27% in 1995 to 18% in 2008.

Working Together for One Big Change
A multisectoral approach requires the involvement of many different institutions, and the Zero Hunger series identifies the need for coordination between these institutions as they work towards one common goal: the reduction of hunger. A resounding message from Action Against Hunger’s event is for governments and civil society projects to work as a cohesive force in the fight against undernutrition.

Keeping Momentum Beyond the Short-Term
Another key message identified by the research series is that undernutrition must be addressed with short and long-term approaches; approaches which both prevent and treat malnutrition in the short-term and ensure sustained development in the long-term. Community-based nutrition programmes can help respond to acute food and nutrition crises, whilst also ensuring sustained promotion of health and nutrition within the community. Programmes in Malawi in 2002 reached 74% of those in need through this approach, and in 2006 became a huge success and a national strategy.

Long-Term Commitment
The absolute necessity of long-term and continuous financial investment cannot be overstated in a sector that currently only prioritises funding for emergency assistance. Zero Hunger’s sixth key factor highlights the successes of Mozambique and Malawi following years of sustained, long-term funding. “What is absolutely necessary is for projects to receive stable financial support beyond the emergency phase,” says Sanchez-Montero, “perhaps now is the most relevant time to consider that.”

A Brighter Future

By observing the successes and progress already made, “other countries can learn that reducing undernutrition is an attainable goal,” says Action Against Hunger’s Morwenna Sullivan.  Zero Hunger shows a clear plan of action and achievable vision to achieve significant progress in reducing hunger around the world. “This is the way forward” says Frederic Mousseau, “but it won’t happen by itself, only if there is a consensus for support from local governments but also from the international community.”

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