Nutrition Now
UNICEF West and Central AfricaFeb 15, 2023
UNICEF Touts 'Game-Changing' Nutrition Pill for Africa
The Facts
UNICEF has been trialing a new all-in-one nutritional supplement that combines 15 vitamins and minerals in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Rwanda to address childhood malnutrition as well as malnutrition during pregnancy, which can lead to several adverse outcomes including stunting and below-average growth in children.
This comes as, since the COVID pandemic outbreak, the number of pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls affected by severe malnutrition has reportedly spiked from 5.5M to 6.9M. Delivered in multiple forms, the multiple micronutrient supplements are customized to provide optimal amounts of essential ingredients.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Due to war and climate change, sub-Saharan Africa is suffering the worst malnutrition crisis in the world, with tragically high numbers of children suffering from rapid weight and muscle loss and stunted growth. Systems must be put in place to better detect these ailments, after which these issues can be solved when the international community provides them with the necessary foods or supplements to grow properly and thrive.
Establishment-critical narrative
Climate change isn't causing regional conflicts and famines. In reality, it's the West and its nongovernmental organizations, international organizations, and propaganda outlets that are instigating civil strife. When governments in Africa refuse to play along with the likes of NATO and the US, the West responds by stirring up conflict which results in the tragedies we see in the news today. Real solutions require addressing these deep systemic issues.
Nerd narrative
There's a 15% chance that there will be fewer than 375M people in extreme poverty by 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.