Malnutrition 'still a serious concern' in West Africa

Malnutrition is still a serious health concern in West Africa, but a leading aid organisation has revealed that improved food security has increased nutrition levels among the area's population.

According to the United Nation's Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 2007 has seen less of a malnutrition crisis in the region than in previous years, with a fall in the amount of money requested from donors for 2008.

However, rising food prices and less-obvious food shortages meant the situation was still of great concern, explained Herve Ludovic de Lys, the regional head of the office.

"There is less of a malnutrition crisis this year but [structural] problems of food security are still a serious concern," he said.

"The good news is that improving food security is cheaper than treating malnutrition," he added.

Figures provided by the United Nations reveal that West Africa has the highest under-five mortality rate in the world, with 1.5 million children under five suffering from acute under-nutrition in five countries alone.

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