WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), head of the House Foreign Affairs panel that oversees global health and international organizations, today chaired a congressional briefing and hearing on “Leveraging U.S. Funding: The Stunning Global Impact of Nutrition and Supplements during the First 1,000 Days,” featuring expert witnesses from the United States Agency for International Aid (USAID) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

     In his opening remarks, Smith said “There is perhaps no wiser investment that we could make not only in the human person but also the economies of the developing world than to concentrate on ensuring that sufficient nutrition and health assistance is given during the first one thousand days of life.  Women, children and entire families’ lives are enhanced."   

     The first 1,000 Days is a decisive period of time from conception until roughly age two when brain and cognitive as well as physical functions develop. Inadequate nutrition during this period leads to a plethora of problems, including debilitating stunting.

     Smith underscored the extent of the problem, noting that “Children who do not receive adequate nutrition in utero are more likely to experience lifelong cognitive and physical deficiencies due in particular to stunting. UNICEF estimates that one in four children worldwide is stunted due to lack of adequate nutrition.” Click here to read Chairman Smith’s opening remarks.

     Ajay Markanday, the director of the Washington office of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stressed the role of the FAO as a multilateral partner of the United States, and emphasized that “The rationale for supporting proper nutrition is not simply a moral imperative but also economic: it has been long established that malnutrition undermines economic growth and perpetuates poverty.”

     Beth Dunford, Assistant to the Administrator of USAID and head of the Feed the Future initiative, emphasized the demonstrable results that the Feed the Future initiative in reducing stunting, noting “Since the initiative began, the average annual rate of reduction in stunting for all children doubled across thee Feed the Future countries for which we have data,” while pointing to results from Bangladesh, Cambodia and Honduras in particular.

     Both Markanday and Dunford highlighted the role of the private sector in achieving global nutrition goals, along with international organizations such as FAO, partner governments, non-governmental and faith-based organizations.

     Both also acknowledged Chairman Smith’s legislative leadership on food security, highlighting his authorship of the Global Food Security Act of 2015, H.R. 1567.  USAID’s Dunford stated “I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for sponsoring the Global Food Security Act, which demonstrates the U.S. Government’s commitment to reducing global poverty and hunger through increased food security and improved nutrition.” Click here to read Dunford’s opening remarks.

     Per FAO’s Markanday, “Chairman Smith’s Global Food Security Act, and its significant bipartisan sponsorship, further demonstrates US leadership in securing a world with zero hunger and where no child goes malnourished.”  Click here to read Markanday’s opening remarks.

     Given that the United States provides more funds to FAO than any other country, Markanday challenged the United States to demand “value and should expect results” from FAO, as well as all international organizations to which it belongs. 

     Noting how it was President George W. Bush who refocused U.S. strategy on promoting food security, particularly in Africa, and how the present Administration built upon and expanded that strategy via the Feed the Future initiative, Chairman Smith looked forward, stating, “It is also my hope that as we look now to the next Administration, that we will be able to enshrine food security and nutrition as a firmly-planted cornerstone of U.S. policy.” 

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