The fight against global malnutrition has gathered this week in Paris, at the Summit of Nutrition for Growth (N4G), leaders around the world to address the malnutrition crisis that affects more than three billion people without access to a healthy diet. Neema Luangira (Bukova, Tanzania, 43 years old), deputy and vice president of the African parliamentary network for food systems, has participated in this meeting with the aim of continuing to work for food security in her country and in her continent, one of the most affected by child malnutrition. According to the United Nations, in Western and Central Africa 16.7 million children under five suffered acute malnutrition in 2024.
“Nutrition must continue to be a priority in foreign aid,” said Lugangira in his X account last Thursday, coinciding with the inauguration of the summit. Hours later, in an interview with El País, he warned of the effects that the budget cuts made by the United States and other countries could have, in development aid, especially in the food sector. “The abrupt cuts are not wise, because the impact is detrimental. There will not only be a possible loss of lives,” said the Tanzana parliamentarian, “but there will also be a potential increase and decline in efforts against poverty.”
Ask. What expectations did you have of the summit?
Answer. The purpose of this nutrition summit for growth was to show the commitment to nutrition. I am particularly happy that, from the first day, there was a lot of interest in the nutrition agenda, not only of developed nations or developed economies, but also of multilateral institutions and financial institutions.
P. What do you think are the great challenges that women face in the rural areas of Tanzania in the field of nutrition?
R. The problems in Tanzania are the same as in all of Africa. Between 60% and 70% of Africans work in the agricultural sector, but 80% of them are women. However, women still face several challenges, for example, land ownership, access to inputs, that is, fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, and so on. But there have been many efforts through the African Union and governments to improve the inclusion of women in the agricultural value chain, and in particular, in Tanzania. Our president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has tripled the budget in agriculture during her mandate. Through this budget increase, a lot of emphasis is being placed on empowering women, particularly rural women throughout the agricultural value chain. Also, several of our banks are introducing financing mechanisms that are flexible and adequate for small farmers, particularly for women.
P. Africa is the continent with more population with hunger, but, at the same time, diseases such as diabetes are increasing. What role does education play for nutrition?
R. In Tanzania, we recently launched a strategy to raise awareness about what type of food people should put on their dish and how healthy it was. It was a great campaign led by the Ministry of Agriculture in Association with FAO [Asociación de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura]. Likewise, since I founded the NGO Fundación Agri Thamani, we have focused on providing nutrition education. We provide education in health centers and provide nutritional education to primary and secondary schools, as well as within the community and without forgetting, of course, elderly homes.
P. How do Trum administration and other countries affect Tanzania efforts to combat malnutrition?
R. Financial aid cuts are affecting developing countries in all areas. In Tanzania, through our government, efforts are being made and mechanisms to better manage the process. But one thing I always say, and I have even said here at the Nutrition Summit for growth in Paris, although the cuts can be understandable, they must be done gradually. Abrupt cuts are not wise, because the impact is detrimental. Not only will there be a possible loss of lives, but there will also be a potential increase and decline in poverty efforts.
P. Do you think the private sector will mobilize after the cuts to help African states fight malnutrition?
R. It is very clear that there is a global commitment to increase and maintain support. Here at the Nutrition Summit for growth we are listening to and seeing that genuine commitment, so I am optimistic. The Member States of the African Union are working to ensure that countries can handle the situation in the best possible way.
P. What steps is taking the Government of Tanzania to ensure that each school gives a nutritious meal to children?
R. First, our president is a true defender of nutrition and has promoted that cause since she was vice president [entre 2015 y 2021]. Second, myself, since I arrived in Parliament, I have pressed for nutrition. One of my greatest personal achievements is that Tanzania joined the coalition of school meals in 2023 [que agrupa a 100 países bajo el liderazgo del Programa Mundial de Alimentos]. The commitments are clear so that the government establishes mechanisms to ensure that each child has at least one nutritional meal by 2030. In addition, from the point of view of climate action, the Government has also approved that all public institutions, including schools, which are feeding more than 100 people use clean energy for cooking.