April 20, 2012
Malnutrition and undernutrition contribute to the deaths of almost one-third of children under five years old and the deaths of thousands of mothers annually. These deaths are largely preventable and there is conclusive evidence that effective, low-cost programs can significantly reduce the burden of undernutrition.
For these reasons, I am pleased UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon invited me to the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Lead Group, alongside 26 global leaders from developing countries, civil society, development agencies, the private sector and foundations.
The SUN Movement is a global effort to address undernutrition and its impact on infant and child mortality and its long-term irreversible health impacts.
As part of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health initiative announced in November 2010, Canada improves nutrition around the world, by increasing access to healthy, nutritious food and much-needed nutritional supplements that reduce mortality and disease.
As one of the key players in the SUN Movement, Canada will continue to support and advance effective programs in maternal, newborn and child health, nutrition and agriculture to reduce malnutrition and undernutrition among the world's most vulnerable people.
The Honourable Beverley J. Oda
Minister of International Cooperation
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Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
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