On June 15, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations held a hearing, “Africa’s Current and Potential Famines.” The hearing focused on the need for food assistance to combat famine, as well as solutions to conflicts that lead to widespread famine.
Roger Thurow, senior fellow, Global Food and Agriculture, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, testified on the impact famine has on women and children, especially during the first 1,000 days from the beginning of a woman’s pregnancy to the second birthday of her child. Mr. Thurow stated that “any lack of food, any bout of malnutrition, often leads to stunting – physically and cognitively.”
The following witnesses also testified:
