1. Afghanistan Nutrition Based Food Policy & Recommendations
Abdul Satar AHMADZAI, ISA-Group SF2M M1 Student, 2010-2012
Assignment of: Economics of food Safety & health
Professor: Denis Lanzanova
Since the last 3 decades Afghanistan has suffered with war from foreign countries, many people
died and more than 3 million of the population immigrated to the neighbor countries.
Widespread poverty and poor diet are a major cause of under nutrition in Afghanistan it has long
recognized the problem of under nutrition, underweight; macronutrient deficiency diseases (Iron,
Iodine, vitamin A and C, Zinc), most of them are women and children.
Economic and political considerations are the basic factors determining food policy. This Public
nutrition policy priorities design to support child and maternal nutrition through nutrition
promotion (through media, schools, religious leaders and etc… ), infants and young child
feeding, micronutrients, treatment of acute malnutrition, nutrition and capacity development for
public nutrition.
The Public Nutrition Policy have to affirm its commitment to promote, protect and fulfill the
rights of all people to adequate food and nutrition as stated in the International Declarations and
Conventions on Human Rights.
Deficiencies in key micronutrients are also of public health significance in Afghanistan. Among
children under 5 years old, about 70% are iron deficient and 40% anemic. Iodine deficiency
disorders occur in 75% of children (most from the mountainous regions of the country) and the
prevalence of clinical cases of goiter is between 20-40%. Scurvy, a clinical symptom of vitamin
C deficiency, is up to 10% of households from highly food insecure areas where dietary diversity
is very poor.
About (40%) people in Afghanistan live with incomes of less than 45 cents ($)/person per day.
The drastic increase in food prices in 2007-2008, the very harsh winter that led to 10% livestock
losses and drought have also contributed to severely worsen an already alarming food security
and economic situation. The growing political insecurity in a number of regions poses ongoing
challenges to local food production and market access, and limits humanitarian agencies abilities
to deliver assistance in most insecure areas. Limited knowledge about nutrition principles further
affects food choices and child feeding practices.
The most common causes of under five year’s children mortality in Afghanistan include neonatal
deaths, diarrhea, measles, and malaria. Under nutrition is very commonly a consequence of these
diseases as well as a contributing factor to disease. Acute under nutrition rates vary seasonally
and are notably linked to diarrheal disease trends, as indicated by sharp increases in the summer
months.
Poor hygiene, sanitation and limited potable water supply are major causes of infections. Around
20% of the population is using improved drinking water sources (most of them are in rural areas)
and about 30% of the population is using improved sanitation services. Hygiene conditions

2. inside homes and neighborhoods are often poor (presence of animals, open latrines in the
street…). Hand washing with soap is not a custom practice.
The following specific recommendations have to contribute:
1. Increase the awareness about nutrition amongst the general population, and provide caregivers
with the knowledge, skills and support that are required to adopt healthy nutrition practices,
using food-based approaches.
2. Increase the percentage of child caregivers adopting appropriate infant and young child
feeding practices.
3. Reduce the prevalence of major micronutrient deficiency disorders, throughout the country
and prevent possible outbreaks of vitamin C.
4. Strengthen case management and increase access to quality therapeutic feeding and care at
health facility and community levels.
5. Monitor changes in the nutritional situation in Afghanistan and evaluate the impact of
nutrition strategies and programs, in order to inform development planning and emergency
responses.
6. Training of people in Good Hygiene Practices (ex: washing hands …)
7. Strengthen in-country capacity to assess the nutrition situation, and design, implement,
monitor and evaluate public nutrition interventions.
8. Increase the salary/wages of the workers.
9. Security
Note: without my name and title all are 612 words