This initiative is part of the larger study “Cost of Hunger in Africa” (COHA), a continental initiative led by the Commission of the African Union and supported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and NEPAD. It aims to presenting the impact of costs on the national economy and the social condition caused by child malnutrition and the possible economic returns that can come from appropriate investment in nutrition.

According to studies already carried out in 12 African countries, malnutrition is responsible for the loss of 16% of GDP in those countries. In Guinea-Bissau, where the malnutrition rate among children is around 27.6 percent, the study will be conducted by the National Institute for Studies and Research and is expected to be completed in June 2018.

The Minister of Economy and Finance, João Alage Mamadu Fadiá, who presided over the official launch, stressed the importance of this study and the commitment of the Government, which will finance part of the costs. The initiative is also supported by the United Nations, through the World Food Program, the African Union and the European Union.

"The presence here of the entire UN family and other international partners shows the importance everyone gives to this problem of malnutrition," said UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in Guinea-Bissau, Modibo Touré..

The WFP Representative, Kyiomi Kawaguchi, stressed that the study "will allow better public policies to be put in place to tackle the problem of child malnutrition, which is known to have a negative impact on health education, economy and sustainable development in the country."

"We know that a small investment in children's health can have a multiplier effect on the economy and development of the country," recalled Modibo Touré.