The challenge of ending malnutrition globally is in the spotlight like never before. Currently, at least 12 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals contain indicators “highly relevant” to nutrition, and the United Nations proclaimed years 2016-2025 the U.N. Decade of Action on Nutrition. Nutrition is also sold as a sector with one of the highest returns on investment — where every $1 invested gives $16 in return, according to the “2017 Global Nutrition Report.”
Despite promising enthusiasm and advocacy to address undernutrition and undernourishment, progress is slow and the impact of malnutrition on populations high. As of 2018, over 150 million children under 5 years old are stunted and over 50 million are wasted. Scaling up financing is one of the key aspects consistently cited as part of the solution.
About the author
Maja Wisenberger
Maja Wisenberger works in Devex's Analytics team in Manila, assisting in expanding data content and analyzing global funding trends. She has a master's degree in Public Policy from China and she brings experience from UNOPS, UN Women and the nonprofit sector. Her main areas of interest are poverty alleviation, economic and gender equality, and Chinese philanthropy.
