Peru is the only Latin American nation that reduced chronic malnutrition by 50% over the past decade, unlike other countries with the same growth rate, World Food Programme (WFP) Representative in Peru Carmen Burbano reported on Thursday.
The
indicators reveal there was a sustained political commitment from different administrations, which translated into good public policies serving as
model for other countries.
"There has been continuity in investment policies introduced by the Economy Ministry, the international community and civil society, as well as in articulated and coordinated actions,"
Burbano told Andina news agency.
"This is an enormous accomplishment on the part of Peru, which is a model of success nowadays," she added.
However, she continued, the Inca nation faces a tremendous challenge: to
reduce chronic malnutrition that still affects the child population (currently at 13.1%). This is a challenging goal as it requires the development of more targeted policies.
"They [the policies] need to be more specific, explore regions in more depth, get closer to families in Amazon and Andean rural communities to bridge the gap, and put an end to the inequity of which they are still victims," she indicated.
Anemia is another health problem that needs to be addressed not only in Peru but all over Latin America.
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Published: 12/14/2017