The government of Gambia has reaffirmed its commitment to ending all forms of malnutrition with the launch of the National Nutrition Policy 2026-2035 and its accompanying Strategic Plan 2027-2031. The policy was unveiled by Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow on October 7 at the Banjul International Conference Center. The event brought together government officials, ambassadors, and representatives from NGOs, the private sector, and civil society organizations.
The launch was funded by Catholic Relief Services, with UNICEF providing technical and financial support for the review and development of the policy and strategic plan. Vice President Jallow emphasized that the policy provides a strategic framework to guide multi-sectoral action to address malnutrition, improve food security, and advance nutrition and health outcomes in line with the National Development Plan and SDGs 2 and 3.
The National Nutrition Policy 2026-2035 embodies a collective vision for a healthier, stronger, and more resilient Gambia, anchored on principles of equity, inclusivity, resilience, accountability, and sustainability. Its key priorities include improving the nutritional status of adolescents, women, infants, and young children, ensuring equitable access to safe, diverse, and nutritious foods, promoting healthy diets and lifestyles, and strengthening governance and partnerships.
Vice President Jallow challenged stakeholders to move from policy to implementation, from commitment to action, and from action to measurable results. He emphasized that nutrition is not merely about food, but about human capital, dignity, productivity, and national development. Jallow noted that undernutrition continues to deprive many children of their full potential and contributes to preventable illness and deaths.
UNICEF Representative in Gambia, Nafisa Binte Shafique, speaking on behalf of UN Resident Coordinator Karl Frédérick Paul, said that with 2030 fast approaching, progress towards SDG 2 – ending hunger and all forms of malnutrition – must be accelerated. She reaffirmed the UN system's commitment to supporting the government to translate the policy into measurable results.
The policy provides a coordinated multi-sectoral response aligned with the Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (YIRIWA) 2023-2027, the Nutrition Act 2024, the Sustainable Development Goals, and Agenda 2063. Shafique noted that the challenges are significant, and the government must address stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies, alongside the growing burden of overweight, obesity, and diet-related non-communicable diseases.
The government aims to strengthen food and nutrition security, maternal and child nutrition, resilient food systems, social protection, and national monitoring systems. The launch of the National Nutrition Policy 2026-2035 and its Strategic Plan 2027-2031 marks a significant step towards achieving these goals and improving the lives of Gambians, particularly children, women, and other vulnerable groups.
Key points
- The Gambia government has launched a 10-year national nutrition policy and strategic plan to address malnutrition and improve health outcomes.
- The policy aims to improve the nutritional status of vulnerable groups, ensure equitable access to nutritious foods, and promote healthy diets and lifestyles.
- The UN system has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the government to translate the policy into measurable results.
