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The Problem: Challenge & Commitment
Our Challenge and Our Commitment
In 2004, UNICEF and MI together launched a global progress report
on Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency (VMD) or hidden hunger. This laid out both
progress and the worldwide challenge we still face:
Millions of children die unnecessarily every year from illnesses
such as measles and diarrhea. Many lack the vitamins and minerals that can
improve their resistance to disease.
Malnutrition, including vitamin and mineral deficiency, underlies
over 50% of these child deaths, according to the World Health Organization
(WHO).
40-60% of young children in developing nations suffer from iron
deficiency in early childhood that disrupts their cognitive development
significantly and irreversibly, diminishing their school performance and
hindering their physical development.
Every year 43 million babies are born with inadequate protection
from mental impairment caused by iodine deficiency. Where iodine deficiency is
prevalent, the average mental acuity of children can be reduced by up to 10 to
15 percentage points.
In Asia and Africa, severe anemia claims the lives of an estimated
60,000 women in pregnancy and childbirth every year.
Vitamin and mineral deficiency compromises the economic
development of most developing nations, causing the preventable loss of up to
2% of their gross domestic product. Yet behind these numbers, there is renewed
hope and optimism. Unique partnerships of governments, private companies and
civil society are working together to scale up the best ways of tackling VMD,
and to reach more vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.
Our commitment is to stimulate and support national actions to
eliminate micronutrient malnutrition, assuring universal coverage and sustained
impact on people's health and well-being. |
