§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the average nutrition levels are(a) globally, (b) for each continent, (c) in each of the EU member states, (d) in each of the ex-Soviet Union states, (e) in each country in Africa and (f) in West Darfur; and if he will make a statement. [136643]
§ Hilary BennWorldwide, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimated that 840 million people were undernourished in 1998–2000. These figures include 11 million in the industrialised countries, 30 million in countries in transition and 799 million in the developing world. There is no single measure of nutrition levels: different indicators measure different aspects of nutrition. The attached table, based on data in the World Bank's 2003 World Development Indicators, gives figures for three of these indicators where they are available.
Recent reports from West Darfur, Sudan, using rapid assessment techniques indicate very high levels of malnutrition among people displaced by conflict. Relief agencies are seeking, as a matter of urgency, to investigate further using standard assessment methodologies.
The Department for International Development (DFID) is concerned about the situation in all parts of Darfur. DFID has recently provided Save the Children UK with £500,000 for a humanitarian intervention. DFID has also agreed to provide £1 million to UNHCR for Sudanese from Darfur who have sought refuge in Chad. DFID is planning an additional £1 million contribution to the 2003 International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Appeal for Sudan and a £2 million contribution to the World Food Programme Emergency Operation in Sudan, in response to the situation in 193W Darfur. Other interventions, through international NGOs and United Nations agencies in Darfur, are being considered.
Indicators of nutritional level1 Proportion of population
undernourished
Proportion of children
under five
underweight
Proportion of children
under five
stunted
(a) Global 18 — — (b) Region Sub-Saharan Africa 33 — — Middle East and North Africa 8 15 — L America and Caribbean 12 9 19 East Asia and Pacific 11 15 14 South Asia 25 53 47 (c) EU states No comparable figures available (d) Ex-Soviet2 Azerbaijan — 17 20 Georgia — 3 12 Kazakhstan — 4 10 Kyrgyz Rep — 11 25 Russian Fed — 3 13 Tajikistan — — 31 Turkmenistan — 12 22 Ukraine — 3 16 Uzbekistan — 19 31 (e) Africa Algeria 6 6 18 Angola 50 41 53 Benin 13 23 31 Botswana 25 13 29 Burkina Faso 23 34 37 Burundi 69 45 — Cameroon 25 22 29 CAR 44 23 28 Chad 32 28 29 Congo DR 73 34 45 Congo Rep 32 — — Cote d'Ivoire 15 21 25 Egypt 4 4 19 Eritrea 58 44 38 Ethiopia 44 47 52 Gabon 8 12 21 Gambia 21 17 30 Ghana 12 25 26 Guinea 32 33 41 Guinea-Bissau — 25 — Kenya 44 22 33 Lesotho 26 18 44 Liberia 39 — — Libya — 5 15 Madagascar 40 40 48 Malawi 33 25 49 Mali 20 27 49 Mauritania 12 32 35 Morocco 7 — — Mozambique 55 26 36 Namibia 9 — — Niger 36 40 40 Nigeria 7 31 34 Rwanda 40 24 43 Senegal 25 18 23 Sierra Leone 47 27 — Somalia 71 26 23 S Africa — 9 23 Sudan 21 11 34 Swaziland 12 10 — Tanzania 47 29 44 Togo 23 25 22 Tunisia — 4 8 Uganda 21 23 39 Zambia 50 24 42 Zimbabwe 38 13 27 1 Taken from 2003 World Development Indicators—most recent figures available. 2 Where figures are available. Note:
Where no figure is shown the World Bank has Chosen not to estimate or publish a figure. The World Bank takes into consideration the coverage, date and quality of data available.