Agenzia Fides

Kampala (Agenzia Fides) - The lack of food continues to cause deaths every year, over a million children under 5 years of age in Sub-Saharan Africa. Deaths due to malnutrition in this region are exacerbated by drought and rising prices. The food shortages have dramatic consequences on children who continue to die, while 30% suffer from rickets, which makes not only the physical growth of the child difficult but also causes irreversible cognitive impairment that hinders the child’s ability to learn. These findings were observed on the occasion of the Day for Nutrition and Food Security in Africa, recently celebrated. During this week, a forum to solicit additional support from governments, civil society and donors in the fight to prevent 'silent emergency 'of malnutrition in the continent will also be held in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 05/11/2012)