Nutrition key to delivering on Canada’s top development priority, saving the lives of women and children across the developing world
May 28, 2014 – Toronto, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
Today, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, along with Ertharin Cousin, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), visited SickKids Hospital ahead of the Prime Minister’s Saving Every Woman, Every Child: Within Arm’s Reach Summit.
“Canada is proud to be a global leader in supporting nutrition around the world. Increasing food security and ensuring access to nutritious food are at the heart of poverty reduction, and is a fundamental pillar of Canada’s maternal, newborn and child health initiative,” said Minister Ambrose. “Mothers and children are often the most at risk during a crisis and have special food and nutrition needs. Canada will continue to work with the World Food Programme to help deliver concrete results for those in need.”
Following the visit, Minister Ambrose announced on behalf of the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, $98 million in humanitarian assistance funding to the WFP, Canada’s largest humanitarian partner. The WFP is the United Nations’ frontline agency in the fight against hunger.
The WFP responds to emergencies and saves lives by getting food to the hungry quickly, while also working to prevent hunger in the future; as such they are ideally positioned to help Canada deliver on its top development priority, that of improving maternal, newborn and child health. Improving nutrition and ensuring access to nutritious food are key to Canada's strategy to help lift millions of people out of poverty around the world.
“Children who get enough food are less likely to get sick or die. They are more likely to stay in school, contribute to their families and communities, and reach their full potential,” said Minister Paradis. “Canada’s focus on maternal and child health reflects the values of millions of Canadians who believe that we cannot stand idly by while the poorest and most vulnerable suffer deaths that are easily and inexpensively prevented. Canada will continue to partner with the World Food Programme, to deliver real results.”
“On behalf of the millions of vulnerable people WFP reaches each year, Canadian government and taxpayer support is immensely appreciated,” said WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin. “The WFP enjoys a long and productive partnership with the Government of Canada, working towards achieving our mutual goal of ending hunger. Eliminating hunger fits hand-in-glove with the Muskoka objective of reducing child mortality. We recognize and applaud Canada’s global leadership in maternal, newborn and child health. I am certain that together, we will reach our goal of ‘Saving Every Woman, Every Child.’”
Improving the health of mothers, newborns and children is Canada’s top development priority. Following the significant progress made through 2010’s Muskoka Initiative, the Prime Minister is once again taking action to mobilize the world to maintain maternal, newborn and child health as a top development priority. On May 28 to 30, 2014, in Toronto, Canada is hosting Saving Every Woman, Every Child: Within Arm’s Reach, an international Summit that will build on Canada’s leadership and shape the future of global action on maternal and child health issues.
Sandrine Perion
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
819-953-9528
sandrine.perion@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @DFATD_DEV
Like us on Facebook: Canada is Dedicated to International Development - DFATD
