One in three people globally are malnourished, the vast majority in low- and middle-income countries. Women and girls, who tend to eat least and eat last, are particularly affected, being twice as likely to suffer from malnutrition.
This crisis is causing illnesses, preventable deaths and lost economic potential. By some estimates, poor health and lost potential cost the worldwide economy over a trillion dollars each year.
At an event at the MaRS Centre in Toronto to mark International Development Week, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced a contribution of $360.6 million over six years (2025-2031), for Nutrition International.
“Nutrition International is a leader in providing vitamin A supplements for children under five, and they make their vitamin A capsules right here in Ontario! We are not only talking about reaching 150 million children with essential nutrition support. We are also talking about good jobs for 140 people here in Canada. Now and in the years to come, I know the funding announced today will continue to build a brighter future that benefits all of us,” Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development.
The funding announced today will support Nutrition International in providing life-changing nutrition resources to people in need, with a particular focus on Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. This includes key vitamin A supplementation, which reaches approximately 150 million children twice a year, and is one of the greatest nutrition successes in history.
The results of Nutrition International’s efforts speak volumes. Over 30 years, their programs have helped to avert 7 million deaths and prevent millions of people from suffering from anemia and childhood stunting. Better nutrition has also meant that more than 5 million children have gained an additional year of education.
“Canada is stepping forward to address malnutrition at a time of rising global need. This is what leadership looks like. The timely support for Nutrition International’s focused, high-impact work will improve the lives of millions of people around the world. Malnutrition measures its impact in lost lives, lost health, and lost potential – and yet is entirely preventable. By prioritizing nutrition, we can break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition and poverty, and build a healthier, better educated, and more stable world,” Joel Spicer, President and CEO of Nutrition International.
Their interventions also help break intergenerational cycles of poverty, paving the way for the kind of economic growth that has ripple effects across communities, and entire countries.
Canada is proud to be a global leader in fighting malnutrition, and of its decades-long partnership with Nutrition International. Canada will continue to support the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people and take action on global hunger towards the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
