how is conflict a basic cause of undernutrition
leads to displacement (underlying)where there is not WASH, which leads to inadequate dietary intake/infection (immediate)
evaluate causes/consequences of undernutrition in DRC, compare to other regions
causes: conflict –> displacement.
- outbreak Ebola, response hindered due to violence against health workers
- COVID
- measles
- poor agriculture yields
consequences
- stunting, wasting, infection
how can we help reduce conflict and undernutrition in DRC
“forgotten war” needs to end
ongoing war in the DRC, going on for a while and in a lot of countries outside of the DRC it is likely often not thought about.
-donating to organizations that bring food/health services into the DRC
- elect governments that promise to take action to encourage peacekeeping in the region, aid, and refugee services.
- raising awareness of the issue
- Pressure the Canadian govt. to live up to it’s UN commitments to the Blue Helmets (UN group that de-escalates conflict). recently, number of Canadians workng on UN missions are at all time low
• UN targets for spending on foreign aid: 0.7% gross national income
○ In 2019, Canada spent only 0.28% (= 1.8% of federal budget), ends up being $170/Canadian for all forms of foreign aid)
§ = 6.4 billion
as consumers, be mindful what we are purchasing
there are “conflict materials” which are mined in conditions of armed conflict, in DRC
what is known about climate change and patterns of changes in temp
notable increases in temp in past 40 years
- 19 of 20 warmest years occurred since 2000
- uneven throughout world
- increased temp greater at high latitudes, over land, in continental interiors
- more frequent climate events
what is “sustainable diet”, should dietary guidance prioritze?
- reduces GHG, benefit health
- key in mitigating climate change
- low enviro impact, nutritionally adequate, safe/healthy, culturally acceptable, affordable/accessible
should we eat meat?
- meat production is inefficient use land/water, drives deforestation
- livestock responsible for significant proportion GHG emissions
- overconsumption has negative health impact
BUT, in moderation, good source of protein, heme iron, zinc, B12
and livestock provide livelihood/food security for 1 billion worldwide
so..
we should eat less meat globally. global per capita meat consumption is above healthy levels, critically so in developed countries.
