Official launch of the Fill the Nutrient Gap Study

Bo Mme le Bo Ntate, Khotsong.

Please allow me to pay my respects to:

HIS MAJESTY KING LETSIE III

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE PRIME MINISTER

HONOURABLE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

HONOURABLE SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

HIS LORDSHIP PRESIDENT OF THE COURT OF APPEAL

HER LADYSHIPSHIP THE CHIEF JUSTICE

HONOURABLE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

HONOURABLE MINISTERS AND DEPUTY MINISTERS OF HIS MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT

THEIR LORDSHIPS JUDGES OF THE COURT OF APPEAL AND OF THE HIGH COURT

HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

YOUR EXCELLENCIES MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS

HEADS OF UN AGENCIES AND DEAR COLLEAGUES

PRINCIPAL SECRETARIES

SENIOR GOVERNMEN OFFICIALS

MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS

BO MME LE BO NTATE

ALL PROTOCOL OBSERVED

On behalf of the United Nations in Lesotho, I am honored and pleased to participate in the official launch of the Fill the Nutrient Gap Study/report as a significant contribution to fully understanding the nutrition situation in Lesotho. Before proceeding, I would like to say a few words about the nutrition situation in Lesotho. Lesotho has made progress in improving nutrition outcomes as evidenced by a 6-percentage point reduction in stunting since 2004. However, we must acknowledge that, unfortunately, malnutrition is widespread across the country. There has been little progress in addressing undernutrition, and overnutrition has already emerged as a serious concern. According to the Lesotho Demographic Health Survey of 2014, stunting rates remain unacceptably high at 33.2 % among children under 5, indicating an underlying food and nutrition security challenge. This prevalence is still classified as very high according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

In addition, overweight and obesity rates of adults have increased sharply over the last two decades, from 39% in 1999 to 54% in 2016 among women aged 18 or older, contributing significantly to public health problems. While mortality related to nearly all health risk indicators decreased in Lesotho between 2007 and 2017, the number of deaths related to diabetes increased and heart disease and stroke have increased. These are all linked to inadequate nutrition both in early life and during adulthood. This growing double burden hinders the country’s potential for social and economic development and is estimated to cost the country $200 million annually, equal to 7% of GDP. 3 You will all agree with me: that the commitment to improving nutrition needs to be prioritized, and coordination should be strengthened. Successful nutrition programming will depend on national leadership, regional resources available to support and encourage local actors.

Coordination across all levels of government and sectors, is essential to strengthen nutrition. Development partners also play an active role in filling the gaps in programming and technical assistance. If no meaningful action is taken to address the problem, the country’s development will be seriously undermined. Distinguished Guests, Bo Mme le Bo Ntate It is therefore rewarding to note the remarkable milestones and commitment of the Government in addressing the scourge of malnutrition in all its forms. The initiatives by various nutrition sectoral players are indeed commendable. We are privileged to be launching yet another initiative today. The Fill the Nutrient Gap process has brought together stakeholders from a variety of sectors including Health, Agriculture, Social Development, Education and the private sector to mention just a few. The process hasidentified nutrition gaps, overlaps and potential alignment across sectors for a strengthened nutrition response, that will positively impact on nutrition, with a focus on the most vulnerable.

This study has 4 key messages for us:

1. The economic barrier to adequate nutrition is high. Over half of the population in Lesotho cannot afford a healthy, nutritious diet. Almost one in ten households cannot even afford meeting energy requirements. We can quickly see the connection between income poverty and malnutrition

2. Individual vulnerabilities require targeted interventions. It is more difficult and more expensive to ensure a healthy diet for those most 4 vulnerable to malnutrition – children under two years of age, adolescent girls and pregnant and breastfeeding women. Meeting their nutrition needs is more expensive because they need a larger share of nutritious foods such as animal-source foods, vegetables and fruits.

3. Demand and supply of nutritious foods can be increased through investments in agriculture. All wealth quintiles consume mainly staples with a low content of essential nutrients. Recent economic growth has not led to notable increase in consumption of animal source foods, vegetables or fruits necessary for adequate nutrition. This indicates that in addition to facing affordability issues, people are not choosing enough of the foods they need for improved health.

4. Action is required from all sectors to solve Lesotho’s malnutrition problem. No single intervention can adequately respond to the multifacetted challenges of inadequate dietary intake. Coordination and integrated programming, however, can. The engagement and commitment to prioritize nutrition by stakeholders across different sectors, including those that play a role in the food system and social safety nets, will better enable Lesotho to meet SDG 2 – zero hunger.

The rationale behind all these efforts, is none other than to enable the Government of Lesotho, the UN and Development partners to work more effectively to deliver nutrition actions at scale and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), while putting nutrition both as a maker and a marker of development. Recognizing that 12 of the 17 SDGs are closely linked to Nutrition, improving nutrition becomes a development imperative. 5 It is gratifying to note that the Fill the Nutrient Gap Analysis has not only strengthened mutual accountability and collective actions from UN participating agencies and IFAD, it has also provided a platform for promoting proven interventions; including the adaption of effective laws and policies.

Distinguished Guests, Bo Mme le Bo Ntate; The Fill the Nutrient Gap Report is a joint initiative between the Government of Lesotho, the United Nations and Development partners to respond to the goal of improving nutrition outcomes. I wish to thank a few organizations for their technical and financial contribution to this study. These are: the Food and Nutrition Coordinating Office (FNCO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) as well as the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Distinguished guests, Bo Mme le Bo Ntate, It is my hope that the findings of his study will lead to active engagement and alignment of stakeholders across sectors on nutrition strategies; help in the redesign of the Government policies, particularly Social protection policies so they are more nutrition-sensitive. On behalf of the UN, it is my honor and privilege to officially present the Fill the Nutrient Gap Report. Kea Leboha. Khotso – Pula – Nala