Reuters AlertNet Lite - Andean malnutrition a drag on economic growth -UN

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

Andean malnutrition a drag on economic growth -UN

23 Nov 2006 17:38:15 GMT
Source: Reuters

LIMA, Peru, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Andean governments' failure to eradicate chronic malnutrition is holding back regional economic growth and causing a significant loss in productivity, the United Nations said on Thursday.

"The cost to countries from failing to eradicate under-nutrition is a staggering 6 percent of GDP," said Pedro Medrano, Latin American director of the United Nations World Food Program, after meeting Peruvian President Alan Garcia.

"Not only is under-nutrition impeding the development of individuals, it is acting as a brake on economic development" in Andean countries, he added.

One in five children in the Andean region suffers from chronic malnutrition and more than half of children in some of Peru's mountain and jungle regions are severely malnourished, according to the WFP.

The Andean region -- Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela -- is enjoying a strong run of economic growth due to high prices for its oil and mineral exports.

But many people in the region complain this has not translated into real gains such as better diets, schools and hospitals. (Additional reporting by Robin Emmott)

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Reset map

• Bolivia profile
· View map

• Colombia profile
· View map

• Ecuador profile
· View map

• Peru profile
· View map

• Venezuela profile
· View map

MORE >>

NGO latest

• ADRA Combats Global Hunger
ADRA - International

• 15 million to join global lesson to fight HIV/AIDS
Plan UK

• Alliance urges action to close the HIV services gap at International Development Committee session on global HIV epidemic
International HIV/AIDS Alliance - UK

• Brighton exhibition to highlight unheard voices from the HIV epidemic for World AIDS Day
International HIV/AIDS Alliance - UK

MORE >>

Latest news

• Five killed in fighting between Palestinian rivals

• Rescuers find body after Madrid airport bombing

• Rescuers find body after Madrid airport bombing

• Micro-credit scheme helps Colombian refugees rebuild lives in Venezuela

• Gunmen kill Fatah militant in northern Gaza

MORE >>

Last updated:Thu Jan 4 00:32:09 2007