Debrezeit, Ethiopia 28th November 2018: The African Union in collaboration with World Food Program, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa held the Cost of Hunger in Africa Study (COHA) Workshop. The meeting was held in Debrezeit, Ethiopia on 28th November 2018.The workshop main goal was to discuss the recommendations of the fourteen Cost of Hunger in Africa studies that have been completed , and brainstorm on the next steps of how to support member states in t moving forward with the implementation of the outcome recommendations of the studies.
The Workshop brought together experts in food, nutrition and Health from the AU Commission, representation from one African Union Member State, The kingdom of Lesotho, one REC; Inter Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD), UN Agencies; United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), UN Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO), World Food Program (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO), NGOs namely; HarvestPlus, Nutrition International, Private Sector; Nestle.
Dr. Margaret Agama-Anyetei, Head of Division Nutrition, Health and Population extended warm greetings on behalf of H.E Mrs. Amira Elfadil Commissioner for Social Affairs. She reiterated the commitment of the Commission to archive aspiration 1 of Agenda 2063 which underscores the need for healthy and well-nourished citizens. Dr Margaret called for concerted efforts to end the plight of under nutrition and tasked all present to brainstorm on recommendations towards a collaborative way forward for the COHA studies.
Representing H.M. King Letsie of Lesotho, Ms. Lisemelo Seheri reiterated Lesotho’s commitment to the implementation of the work plan of the African Union Champion for Nutrition. Ms Lisemelo said that there is dire need for governments to scale up investments in the field of Nutrition. Ms Lisemelo also appealed to partners to foster resource mobilization and concerted efforts to prioritize nutrition on the continent. This she said would go a long way in supporting the AU Nutrition champion to achieve his objectives as mandated by the AU Heads of State.
World Food Program Deputy Director Magdalena Moshi underscored the role of the Cost of Hunger Studies as an advocacy tool that provides evidence of the impacts of child under-nutrition while raising awareness on the effects of malnutrition. Magdalena said the meeting is timely since it provides the chance to discuss best practises, lessons learnt and address the challenges faced by countries in implementing recommendations made. The deputy Director also noted that there is currently a rise in the number of countries expressing interest to undertake the COHA studies.
Mr Jack Zulu representative from United Nations Economic Commission for Africa commended the collaborative efforts between UNECA, AU and WFP in reducing child stunting and under nutrition. Mr Jack said that that the lessons learned will set the pace for identifying the next steps in implementing recommendations. The UNECA representative highlighted the need to increase investments and adoption of suitable policies to improve child nutrition in Africa.
COHA has received high-level endorsement from African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in 2012 and by the African Union Heads of State and Government in 2014.
Since 2012 the study has been undertaken in fifteen countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, DRC, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger Rwanda, and Uganda).
A number of AU Member States countries expressed the desire to conduct the study such as Botswana, Guinea Conakry, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and South Sudan.

For more information, on the meeting please contact:
Dr. Margaret Agama-Anyetei Head of Division, Health, Nutrition and Population Department of Social Affairs African Union Commission Agama-AnyeteiM@africa-union.org

Ms. Mugisha Barbara, Communication Expert, Department of Social Affairs, African Union Commission (AUC), E-mail: barbaram@africa-union.org
For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dic@africa-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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