VOA interviews HKI’s Shawn Baker about the Global Food Crisis.

En français

October 17, 2008.  Shawn Baker, HKI’s Vice President and Regional Director for Africa, spoke with Claude Porsella at Voice of America about ways that the United States can respond to the global food crisis, and the specific strategies that HKI is exploring implementing in the 13 African countries where the organization works. HKI has long been recognized as a leader in developing sustainable nutrition programs that improve food security and nutrition status, and can build on its current programs to address the looming crisis. In addition, HKI’s mission is to help the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, an emphasis that is even more crucial under the current economic conditions.  The organization builds technical capacity; the hallmark of its work is its proven effectiveness in developing, testing and scaling-up health interventions, and integrating them within government and community structures.  

During the interview, Mr. Baker emphasized that: “This crisis is hitting African countries that already have very high rates of malnutrition. In Niger, for example, 50% of under-five children are malnourished. They are vulnerable to any shock to the system. The crisis needs immediate responses that respond to the most pressing needs of vulnerable populations, but also long-term solutions.”

To read HKI’s Response Paper to the Global Food Crisis, please click here.