Nairobi will host parliamentary talks on hunger and malnutrition on November 16 and 17.
Lawmakers urge investment in indigenous foods and traditional farming as Adan Yusuf Haji says one in five Africans faces malnutrition.
Lawmakers have issued a malnutrition warning ahead of a global parliamentary summit in Nairobi, urging investment in indigenous foods. They also want governments to support traditional farming systems and improve access to balanced diets.
Mandera West MP Adan Yusuf Haji cited estimates that one in five Africans faces malnutrition. Globally, he said, the number of malnourished people stands at 700 million.
Haji chairs the Eastern Africa Parliamentary Alliance on Food Security and Nutrition. He urged governments to prioritise food production and commit adequate resources to tackling malnutrition.
The legislators said traditional crops could help improve nutrition while strengthening countries’ ability to feed their populations. Haji also argued that food security must rank as a national development priority.
Malnutrition warning ahead of parliamentary talks
The Third Global Parliamentary Summit on Hunger and Malnutrition will take place in Nairobi on November 16 and 17. Africa will host the gathering for the first time, bringing together parliamentarians and other stakeholders.
Participants will explore legislative and policy responses to hunger and malnutrition. Haji said the summit would also allow lawmakers to exchange experiences and strengthen partnerships.
In addition, he said, the talks would help legislators identify priority areas for parliamentary action. His call for urgent intervention centred on the scale of malnutrition worldwide.
For Haji, ensuring that countries can feed their populations must come first in national development efforts.
