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[HUFFINGTON POST] It is entirely fitting that Ireland is hosting the 15-16 April International Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Climate justice in Dublin. Fitting because it was here, in Ireland, that an historic injustice took place – the Great Hunger of 1845-52, in which one million human beings died, many of them children. And fitting because Ireland has been and is a leader in the global fight against another great social injustice: stunting.

[DHAKA TRIBUNE] As we approach the target date of 2015, Bangladesh can be proud of its progress toward the UN’s eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Some goals, such as gender parity in primary and secondary education, have been met ahead of schedule, while others, such as poverty reduction and maternal health, are on track. Where we have faltered in is the area of nutrition. Unfortunately, Bangladesh, according to the International Food Policy Research Institute, is still one of the 36 highest burden countries when it comes to malnutrition, with 36 million people either malnourished or chronically underfed.

[EXAMINER] 16 April 2013- UNICEF announced that the government of Yemen has launched a major public information campaign to fight malnutrition – emphasizing that nutrition needs to be placed at the top of the agenda as without properly nourished children, the country cannot fully develop.

The Hunger, Nutrition and Climate Change conference on 15-16 April, brought together over 100 participants from across the world representing their communities and created an energized environment and could provide a new model for international debates.

On 15 April a new UNICEF issued its first nutrition report since 2009, Improving Child Nutrition, the Achievable Imperative for Global Progress– that shows that accelerated progress against stunting – is both ‘possible and necessary.’

Zambia’s Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition Alliance (CSO-SUN Alliance) has teamed up with Muvi Posse to produce a nutrition theme song as part of their efforts to sensitize the public on the importance of nutrition during the 1,000 window.

[THE EAST AFRICAN] 6 April 2013 – Uganda loses up to $899 million due to malnutrition every year, according to a Cost of Hunger in Africa (COHA) report. The report also reveals that over 975,000 children under the age of five are experiencing cases of anaemia, acute diarrhoea syndrome (ADH), acute respiratory infection (ARI) and in some cases fever due to poor nutrition.

VOICE OF AMERICA] 1 April 2013 – Scientists from Michigian State University (MSU), University of Malawi, healthcare workers, and Malawi farmers have teamed up to dramatically increase crop yields in Malawi and improve nutrition among young children.

On 11 April, the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) published its Hunger and Nutrition Commitment Index (HANCI) which ranks governments on their political commitment to tackling hunger and undernutrition.

On 3 April Vice President of Zambia, Guy Scott, formally announced the launch of the First 1000 Most Critical Days Programme and Strategic Plan of the National Food and Nutrition Commission for 2011-2015 to support scaling up of proven nutrition interventions and reduce child stunting in Zambia.

On 3 April, USAID’s Acting Special Representative for Global Food Security, Jonathan Shrier hosted Guatemalan Minister of Health, Jorge Villavicencio and other Guatemalan Government officials, private sector representatives and a panel of nutrition experts to discuss Guatemala’s “Zero Hunger Pact”.

The REACH 2012 Annual Report outlines the efforts and contribution of REACH to reduce maternal and child undernutrition. REACH is now present in 12 out of the 33 SUN countries and supporting SUN processes that are rapidly taking root at country level. Read the Full…

The UK Government has announced a commitment of K130 million (£15 million) to help reduce malnutrition among women and children in Zambia. The investment will support the national First 1000 Most Critical Days Program, launched on 3 April by Vice President of Zambia, Guy Scott.

Read the full March 2013 Update featuring news on progress made in SUN countries.

[UNICEF] KAMPALA – The Government of Uganda, in partnership with USAID, UNICEF and the EU Delegation today marks an important milestone in advancing food and nutrition security in Uganda through the launch of the multi- sectoral nutrition programmes in South Western region.

[LUSAKA TIMES] – Zambia Civil Society Scaling Nutrition Coordinator Chilfuya William has implored government to engage the private sector in establishing small milling companies in districts throughout the country.