Despite the encouraging achievements of the government in ensuring the food security of millions of Ethiopians, nutrition problems are a national agenda that still requires huge attention, Health Minister Dr. Lia Tadesse said.
Speaking at the National Food and Nutrition Strategy and Seqota Declaration Expansion Phase 2015 EFY annual performance meeting review today, the minister said the implementation of the government’s policies, strategies, and programs has enabled to ensure food security of millions of Ethiopians.
However, she added that solving nutrition problem is a national agenda that still requires huge attention.
According to her, stunting has also declined in Tigray and Amhara regional states since the launching of Seqota Declaration Expansion in 2020.
Dr. Lia stated that her ministry is implementing an improved declaration in 240 woredas of all regions using the experience of Seqota Declaration Expansion.
The government allocated 600 million Birr for the ending fiscal year and is stakeholders have also contributed their part.
According to her, the high level leadership commitment, stakeholders contribution, implementation of innovation, and the community movement, among others, have contributed for the achievement.
Even if encouraging achievements have been registered in the implementation of food and nutrition program, still more attention is needed to fully solve nutritional problems, she noted.
The minster finally urged all the leaderships in the sector, both at regional and federal levels, professionals, pertinent bodies, to highly commit themselves to ensure nutrition security.
UNICEF Ethiopia Chief of Nutrition, Dr. Ramadhani Noor said the annual performance meeting review is among the most notable events of the year where we will collectively celebrate successes, identify key areas of improvement, set priorities, and galvanize efforts for improving the nutrition status of children and women in Ethiopia.
“UNICEF commends the commitment of the government to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition by implementing a multi-sectoral food and nutrition strategy, setting the Food System RoadMap, and driving the Seqota declaration that promises to end child undernutrition in Ethiopia by 2030.”
The chief stated that UNICEF is enthusiastic to see all Ethiopians with optimal nutritional status, quality of life, productivity, and longevity. “Hence, there could not be any other better time than now for stronger collaboration among donors, government sectors, and nutrition partners.’’
On behalf of UNICEF and UN Agencies, Noor expressed the continued support for the operationalization of the Food and Nutrition Strategy, Food System Transformation Road Map, and other government-led efforts toward all forms of malnutrition in Ethiopia.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency