FAO clarifies malnutrition data

Sen. Grace Poe, in her privilege speech before the Senate, was reported to have mentioned the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) estimate of 15 million malnourished children in the Philippines (“15M PH kids hungry—Poe,” Front Page, 10/28/14).

The figure cited was based on the 2011-2013 estimates presented in the 2013 issue of the State of Food Insecurity in the World (Sofi), a joint publication of FAO, the World Food Programme, and the International Fund for Agriculture Development.

In the 2014 Sofi, the 2012-2014 figures indicate that the number of undernourished people in the Philippines is estimated at 11.3 million, a decline of about 27.6 percent from the 2011-2013 level of 15.6 million.

The 2014 Sofi figure is notably higher than those in the 8th National Nutrition Survey since the former covers both children and adults, while the latter only covers children ages 0-5 years old. This contrasts the 2011-2013 Sofi figures of 15 million based on FAO projections/estimates that Senator Poe mentioned in her speech.

The FAO remains fully committed to support the Philippine government in
addressing the critical issues related to food and nutrition security, and works very closely with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Social Welfare and Development, the National Nutrition Council as well as local government units and other development partners, among others.

—ARISTEO A. PORTUGAL,
assistant Food and Agriculture Organization representative (programme), [email protected]