House Foreign Affairs Committee Unanimously Passes Bill to Boost Global Nutrition
Washington, D.C. – Bread for the World celebrates the introduction and passage of the Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act (H.R. 4693) by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. This bipartisan legislation, introduced by House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chairman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), and Reps. Young Kim (R-CA) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), has the potential to impact the lives of tens of millions of women and children around the world.
Globally, malnutrition remains among the top risk factors contributing to nearly half of all preventable deaths among children under age five. And without strategic investments and interventions, the devastating impacts of COVID-19 could wind back decades of progress in alleviating maternal and child nutrition. According to recent data, nearly 14 million more children will likely be severely malnourished by next year. Targeted interventions that, among other goals, protect the nutrition of women and children during the critical 1000-day period between a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday, are essential for ensuring the development of children’s physical and mental health.
At this critical juncture in the history of our nation and world, H.R. 4693 authorizes the U.S. Agency of International Development to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based nutrition strategy to end malnutrition, leveraging coordinated expertise across key U.S. federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and Human Services, and State Department, among others.
"Due to the persistent advocacy of Bread members and strategic partner coordination, Congress passed a resolution last December that garnered bipartisan support to pave the way for today’s victory. The Committee’s passage of H.R. 4693 is a major step toward advancing legislation that will improve global nutrition for millions," said Rev. Eugene Cho, president and CEO of Bread for the World. "Courageous U.S. congressional leadership as displayed by the Committee’s passage of H.R. 4693 is crucial to further nutrition progress, will derail the impacts of COVID-19, and fulfill God's call and our commitment to end hunger in our lifetime."
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from our Resource Library
For Education
FAQ: Hunger Crisis in Afghanistan
Afghanistan would be considered likely to have high rates of hunger because at least two of the major causes of global hunger affect it—armed conflict and fragile governmental institutions.
Global Malnutrition Fact Sheet 2021
Malnutrition is responsible for nearly half of all preventable deaths among children under 5. Every year, the world loses hundreds of thousands of young children and babies to hunger-related causes.
MEMO ON THE HIGH RETURNS OF INVESTING IN A 1,000 DAYS INFRASTRUCTURE
Bread for the World is calling on the Biden-Harris administration and Congress to build a better 1,000-Days infrastructure in the United States.
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Finding Hope, Ending Hunger on Both Sides of the Border: A Bilingual Latino Devotional
Devotional writers challenge us to feel the Spirit of God within us and to hear God’s urgent call to demand justice so all can put food on the table.The Bible on Health as a Hunger Issue
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in faith.” These words from Colossians 2:6 remind us of the faith that is active in love for our neighbors.
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Faith Leaders' Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty
A diverse body of Christian leaders calls on the churches and Congress to focus on the integral connection.
For Advocacy
Fact Sheet: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to respond to changes in need, making it well suited to respond to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fact Sheet: Why We Need $200 Million for Global Nutrition Programs
Bread for the World and its partners are asking Congress to provide $200 million for global nutrition.
Fact Sheet: Hunger by the Numbers
In 2017, 11.8 percent of households in the U.S.—40 million people—were food-insecure, meaning that they were unsure at some point during the year about how they would provide for their next meal.