Global Malnutrition: FCDO Role

Mr Alyn Smith praised the unity on the issue of malnutrition, noting that it is a devastating condition and a threat multiplier. He cited The Lancet to highlight how 433 additional children are dying each day due to the interaction between COVID-19 and malnutrition. Mr Smith regretted the UK's decision to reduce its overseas aid commitment from 0.7% of GNI, suggesting that this is particularly troubling during a global pandemic. He highlighted the Scottish Government's pledge of £2 million to UNICEF efforts in Malawi, Zambia, and Rwanda and called for prioritising malnutrition within existing development spend.

We need a commitment from the government that tackling malnutrition will be prioritised in future budgets, alongside education and healthcare. The current levels of support are insufficient to address this global crisis.

The UK has been a global leader on nutrition, but the Government's decision to reduce development aid and abolish DFID threatens progress. The number of children under five suffering from irreversible stunting decreased from 170 million in 2010 to 144 million in 2019, although over 100 million still suffer lifelong conditions. UNICEF reports a 30% reduction in the coverage of nutrition programmes and an additional 10,000 children dying from malnutrition each month due to covid-19. Chris Matheson is worried by the FCDO's cliff edge in nutrition commitments at year-end.

I am concerned about the lack of data on global malnutrition rates among children under five years old. The Department for International Development's focus has been skewed towards other priorities, leaving malnutrition in the shadows.

She highlighted the Nobel peace prize awarded to the World Food Programme for addressing global hunger. She cited warnings of famines due to climate change, economic contraction, and disruptions caused by the pandemic. Claire noted the importance of UK aid spending on development and nutrition, stressing that even amid cuts, governance and oversight should be improved. Ms Hanna expressed concerns about the potential for famine in Yemen and questioned how recent budget cuts align with commitments to global Britain.

Mr Mundell highlighted the importance of addressing global malnutrition despite the current circumstances. He expressed concern over the lack of a pledge from the Government for a multi-year settlement on nutrition for growth and mentioned the potential financial cliff edge facing UK support for nutrition in days to come. Emphasising the human cost, he cited 45% of under-five deaths worldwide being linked to malnutrition and expected increases in starvation and child mortality due to economic pressures. He stressed that while there are significant costs associated with malnutrition, such as $3.5 trillion annually, interventions have shown success, reducing stunting rates from around 170 million to 144 million children globally. Mundell also noted the interrelation between nutrition and other areas like health, education, economic development, and conflict zones. He called for a recommitment to reaching 50 million women, adolescent girls, and children with high impact nutrition interventions over four years, ensuring at least £680 million of FCDO spend includes nutrition outcomes, and spending £120 million annually on nutrition-specific interventions. Mr Mundell mentioned the financial costs of malnutrition being £3.5 trillion globally.

The UK is at the forefront of development assistance but must do more to tackle global malnutrition through innovative programmes such as school meals and food fortification. We need better international collaboration.

FCDO's work on nutrition is critical, yet we see underfunding compared to other areas like health and education. There must be a strategic review of how the department allocates its resources effectively.

The UK must lead by example in the fight against malnutrition, with a focus on sustainable agriculture and food security in developing nations. We should also support local communities through grassroots projects.

While recognising the importance of health initiatives, we must not neglect nutrition programmes that save lives daily. The government needs to ensure adequate funding for these essential efforts worldwide.

Mr. Shannon discussed the moral obligation to address global malnutrition, highlighting the importance of food banks and charities in his constituency. He mentioned that up to 10,000 more children are predicted to die each month due to undernutrition caused by covid-19, with a significant increase in wasting among children from 47 million to 53 million. He also referred to the APPG's report on nutrition and supported its calls for recommitment to reach 50 million women, adolescent girls, and children with high-impact interventions. The MP inquires if Government officials could provide contacts for church and charity groups working on specific physical work in certain countries, to facilitate partnership opportunities.

Pays tribute to Concern Worldwide for its commitment to eradicating malnutrition and highlights the International Development Committee's dismay over DFID's abolition during a pandemic. Calls for a clear multi-year financial pledge of at least £120 million annually from the FCDO to tackle global malnutrition, benefiting 50 million women, adolescent girls, and children. Cites statistics on the increase in malnourished people and the negative impact of malnutrition on child development. Mr Mishra regretted the abolition of the DFID Select Committee and highlighted the moral obligation to support global malnutrition efforts.

She thanked her colleagues for bringing forward the debate on global malnutrition. She expressed concern over the reduction in the UK Government's commitment to tackling world hunger, especially after the merging of DFID with the Foreign Office. Patricia highlighted the impact of the 0.7% aid budget cut and emphasised the need for a forecast of the total drop in aid spending for nutrition from the start of 2021, an impact assessment on the effects of reduced funding, and a plan to mitigate these impacts. Mrs Gibson quoted former Prime Minister David Cameron's tweet, emphasizing the importance of not turning our backs on the world's poorest people.

Doughty expressed concern about the increase in global hunger, noting that 690 million people are hungry globally. He criticised the Government's decision to cut aid spending from 0.7% of GNI, highlighting its impact on countries like Yemen and South Sudan facing severe food crises. Doughty called for continued investment in nutrition and food security, including a pledge at the upcoming Nutrition for Growth summit. He also asked if there was a plan to scrap the International Development Act 2002 and questioned funding cuts to programmes like those in Somalia and Pakistan. The MP does not doubt the Minister's personal commitment but expresses concern about the aid cut, questioning whether it is temporary. He asks specifically if changes to the International Development Act 2002 will be ruled out.