HUNGER is a new wave of crisis around the world and in the Solomon Islands which leads to malnutrition.
That’s according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Permanent Secretary Ethel France speech to mark the World Food Day in Honiara.
She added that with malnutrition it now contributes to what we now know as non-communicable diseases or NCDs.
Under the theme ‘Our Actions are Our Healthy Diet for a Zero Hunger World’ Ethel said healthy diet is fundamental to having a good life.
“This year’s theme highlight the fact that not only it is about ensuring our population has food to eat but do have a healthy meals,” she added.
She further highlighted that more than 70% of deaths in the country relates to NCDs and 88% of the factors contributing to NCD cases related to our food intake.
Ms France stressed that this means that the country must work together to build new responses and solutions to these new situations and challenges.
“As leading ministry we are taking this matter seriously and are working very closely with the government agency leading health sector on ways to address NCD crisis in the country,” she added.
Ms France said they have developed a lokol kaikai policy to encourage Solomon Islanders to go back to the old ways of eating.
She also highlighted MAL’s ten year roadmap that will seek to ensure that Solomon Islanders strengthens food and nutrition security in the country.
“We are reforming our policies and strategies so we can respond better but it is a fight that requires all of us to be part of,” Ms France said.
She also stressed that the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) is fully committed to ensuring it address these new challenges.
By ANDREW FANASIA
