The United States, recognizing malnutrition’s devastating impacts, especially on children between pregnancy and age 2, is a global leader in scaling up nutrition. Reducing maternal/child undernutrition is a priority for Feed the Future (FTF) and the Global Health Initiative (GHI). Additional resources are creating opportunities to build nutrition programs and technical capacity. The growing Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement1 includes 27 developing countries. FTF and GHI support many SUN national nutrition strategies.
Now is the time to strengthen U.S. leadership by systematizing nutrition within development assistance. The existing operational structure is fragmented and complex, while funding to scale up nutrition remains inadequate. Action on five fronts is needed: an overarching nutrition strategy with a transparent budget; a high-level nutrition focal point; increased capacity in Washington and the field; harmonized nutrition guidance; and strengthened monitoring.
