Statement by Dr Jacqueline Bell, IFRC, at the 65th World Health Assembly, in Geneva
Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests,
As we gather today, we are yet again witnessing terrible food insecurity in the Sahel and other parts of the world. The suffering of millions of people who do not have enough to eat is a dramatic reminder that relief in the form of handouts is just not good enough. While we save lives, we must do much, much more to invest into strengthening the resilience of vulnerable people and their communities and to contribute to eradicating the underlying causes of vulnerability. Under-nutrition is one of those causes.
If mothers are poorly nourished, their babies will not thrive well during gestation. They will rather face poor foetal growth and be at risk of premature delivery or full-term delivers as of ‘small for date babies’.
Both have reduced biological resilience. They are vulnerable through low weight for dates, a weaker immune system, more vulnerable to heat loss, and respiratory difficulties.
It is therefore imperative that maternal nutrition is addressed as an integral part of national and sub national health policies.
Community health programming is a critical pillar of such national health policies.
It is also through civil society organisations and networks such as the Red Ross Red Crescent and our 13 million volunteers that we reach some of the most vulnerable populations in the most remote settings.
By addressing this crucial issue, we will be contributing to increased health equity for women, newborn and children across the globe and towards the global target 3 of the comprehensive implementation plan of 30 per cent reduction of low birth rate by 2025.
We therefore call upon member States to consider this crucial component of the maternal, newborn and child continuum of care and we at the Red Cross Red Crescent will fully support your endeavours though our National Societies and worldwide network of volunteers.
Thank you.