EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: The Economic Toll of Stunting: Insights from Ben Schernick, Director at the Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia

Ben Schernick, Director at the Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia, shed light on the economic impact of stunting in the country. The discussion was framed within the context of the Cost of Hunger in Africa (COHA) study conducted between 2021 and 2022, revealing alarming insights into the consequences of malnutrition, particularly undernutrition, on Namibia’s learners, human development, and economy.

COHA Study: A Deep Dive into Namibia’s Stunting Rates

Schernick began by providing an overview of the COHA study, initiated by the African Union Commission with support from the World Food Programme, GIZ Namibia, and the National Planning Commission (NPC). The study aimed to investigate the cost of hunger, specifically focusing on the impact of malnutrition, particularly undernutrition, on Namibia’s economic landscape.

According to the COHA study, Namibia’s stunting rate, which stood at 23.7% in 2013, had surged to an estimated 34.4% by 2021-2022. Schernick attributed this increase to various factors, including economic recessions, drought, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Economic Ramifications of Stunting

Stunting, defined as the impaired growth in the first thousand days of a child’s life, carries significant economic consequences. Schernick explained that the limited brain development resulting from stunting leads to adverse effects on academic performance, with increased rates of learner repetition and failure in school.

Based on data from 2011 to 2016, the COHA study estimated the cost of stunting at approximately 5.22% of Namibia’s GDP, equivalent to 11.2 billion Namibian dollars in 2016. He emphasized that with inflation and a continued increase in stunting rates, the current cost of stunting to the Namibian economy is likely around 20 billion Namibian dollars.

Addressing the Issue: The Role of Basic Income Grants

Schernick highlighted the importance of addressing malnutrition not only as a moral imperative but also as an economic necessity. He proposed the implementation of initiatives like a universal basic income grant to combat inequality and poverty effectively. Such unconditional grants, as per Schernick, not only contribute to mitigating malnutrition but also empower individuals to start businesses, send their children to school, and restore a sense of dignity.

Referencing the Fill the Nutrient Gap study conducted by the National Planning Commission, the director underscored the need for increased investment in nutrition. The study, conducted around 2021-2022, revealed that a family of five would require over $3,100 per month solely for food to meet their basic nutritional needs.

Investing in the Future: Human Capital as Natural Capital

In conclusion, Schernick emphasized the importance of investing in nutrition as a means of fostering socio-economic development. He framed this investment as a commitment to the future, recognizing human capital as the natural capital of the nation. The insights provided by Schernick call for collective efforts to address malnutrition and its far-reaching economic implications in Namibia.