Sarah Champion comments on Nutrition For Growth Summit- World hunger is an issue for the UK as much as it is for any other country, but the Government are failing to do their part

Responding to the UK Government’s announcement of Commitments at the 2021 Tokyo Nutrition For Growth Summit, Sarah Champion MP said:

“The Government have announced at the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit that they will make no financial commitment to help tackle world hunger.

“This is incredibly disappointing news. The UK should be leading, not retreating from the world. Almost half of child deaths are linked to malnutrition, and around one in five children around the world suffer from wasting.

“The pandemic has increased the number of people facing food insecurity from 135 million to 161 million, and we see a situation where almost half of Afghans are facing starvation this winter.

“While I recognise the Government plans to include a consideration of the impact on nutrition in all Foreign and Development Office projects, this commitment will mean little until we know when it will be introduced and what resources it attracts.

“Let me be blunt: why do people leave their homes? Poverty, conflict and insecure states. World hunger is an issue for the UK as much as it is for any other country, but the Government are failing to do their part.

“The Foreign Secretary has described nutrition as being among her priorities – well it is about time that the Government put their money where their mouth is and recommitted to ending world hunger.”