DSM and UN WFP strengthen partnership to combat global malnutrition
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, and the
United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the world's largest humanitarian
organization fighting hunger around the world, today signed an Agreement
extending their existing partnership for three years (to 2015) to combat hidden
hunger and malnutrition in the developing world. DSM and WFP will seek to double
the number of people who benefit from their work together, from the current
annual reach of 15 million to 25-30 million per year by 2015. DSM's public-
private partnership with WFP, in place since 2007, has contributed to improving
the diets of people, using essential vitamins, nutrients and fortified rice, in
countries that include Nepal, Kenya, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The
strengthened partnership will focus on pregnant and nursing women, young
children and vulnerable households.
Feike Sijbesma, CEO and Chairman of the DSM Managing Board, said: "DSM's mission
is to provide brighter lives for people today and generations to come. Our
partnership with the UN WFP is about improving nutrition and fighting
micronutrient deficiencies. As the world's largest producer of vitamins and
other micronutrients we have a clear responsibility to help solve the globe's
most solvable problem: hidden hunger. DSM is immensely proud of our partnership
with WFP and intensifying this successful relationship has yielded the ambitious
plan of more than doubling the number of beneficiaries over the next three
years."
Ertharin Cousin, Executive Director, UN World Food Programme, stated: "Investing
in nutrition solutions for the world's most vulnerable people is an essential
element of the fight against global hunger. With DSM's continued support, WFP is
committed to providing the right food at the right time, especially for children
in the first 1,000 days of life. When building the potential of future
generations, there is no substitute for good nutrition."
The DSM-WFP partnership
As one of WFP's Global Humanitarian Partners, DSM combines technical and
scientific expertise with high-nutrient products and financial assistance to
help improve the nutritional value of the food WFP distributes to those in need.
DSM supports WFP operations around the world through the addition of critical
vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients to WFP's food basket
Through the partnership with WFP, DSM has used its unique scientific expertise
in health and nutrition to develop micronutrient innovations that meet the
specific nutrition needs of the people WFP supports, including ready-to-use
sachets of vitamins and minerals that can be added to food (MixMe(TM)), as well
as fortified rice (Nutririce(®)). DSM has also helped WFP improve the formula of
its fortified blended foods.
DSM and WFP will continue to trial and test new products and programs that
tackle hidden hunger and malnutrition. DSM will also continue assisting WFP in
implementing its nutrition strategy at national, regional and global levels,
providing on-going technical and scientific support and supplying food
supplements and food fortification products.. To enhance this vital partnership,
DSM and WFP will reach out to engage governments and stakeholders and will
encourage fundraising activities by DSM's 22,000 employees, based on the
company's core belief that business cannot succeed in a society that fails.
The solvable global problem: hunger
An estimated 2 billion people globally suffer from the effects of micronutrient
deficiencies, in that they don't receive the necessary levels of vitamins and
minerals that allow them to develop to their full mental and physical potential.
This hidden hunger has a major impact on child development, educational
attainment, economic productivity and can lead to chronic diseases and higher
mortality.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies account for an estimated 7% of the global
disease burden, while iron, vitamin A and zinc deficiencies rank among the top
10 leading causes of death due to disease in developing countries. The mental
development in 40% - 60% of infants in the developing world is impaired due to
nutrition insecurity and micronutrient deficiency. Micronutrient supplementation
and fortification have been ranked as the top development investments by the
Copenhagen Consensus; indeed, malnutrition can lower a nation's GDP by at least
2% - 3%.
For further information on the work of the partnership please visit:
www.wfp.org/companies and www.dsm.com
UN World Food Programme (WFP)
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Each
year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70
countries. Follow us on Twitter (at)wfp_media or visit us at www.wfp.org.
DSM - Bright Science. Brighter Living.(TM)
Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and
materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials
Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social
advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers
innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global
markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed,
pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and
electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM's
22,000 employees deliver annual net sales of around ?9 billion. The company is
listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsm.com.
To watch a short video on our partnership: click here
Or find us on:
For more information:
DSM Corporate Communications DSM Investor Relations
Eric Drosin Dave Huizing
tel. +31 (0) 45 5782035 tel. +31 (0) 45 5782864
e-mail media.relations(at)dsm.com e-mail investor.relations(at)dsm.com
UN World Food Programme
Molly Slotznick
tel. +39 345 644 3105
e-mail molly.slotznick(at)wfp.org
Press release-pdf:
http://hugin.info/130663/R/1672829/544473.pdf
Feike Sijbesma and Ertharin Cousin-jpg:
http://hugin.info/130663/R/1672829/544474.jpg
This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of
Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: DSM N.V. via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1672829]
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Datum: 24.01.2013 - 09:15 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 222537
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